Increased Platelet-monocyte Aggregation in Male Claudicants with the PlA1/A2 Polymorphism of Gp IIb/IIIa

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between the PlA1/A2 polymorphism and platelet activation and aggregation in patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).DesignA prospective single-centre cohort study.Methods45 patients with PAD on aspirin 75 mg were recruited and phenotyped/genotyped for the Gp IIb/IIIa PlA1/A2 polymorphism. Platelet-Monocyte Aggregation (PMAs) was evaluated using flow-cytometry.ResultsThe formation of PMAs in the PlA2 group was higher but not statistically significant (p = 0.17). However, when males were analysed separately, the formation of PMAs was significantly higher in the PlA2 group (p = 0.0192). No difference was seen in the females.ConclusionsIn this study we show that the PlA1/A2 polymorphism primarily affects the aggregation of platelets to monocytes in males. The effect is not observed in females and understanding the mechanism behind this may help elucidate the way the polymorphism alters platelet function in the presence of aspirin.