UVB radiation exposes fibrinogen binding sites on platelets by activating protein kinase C via reactive oxygen species

In the present study the authors have further investigated the routes of platelet activation following UVB exposure. Evidence is provided that UVB radiation does not activate the platelets via the classical Phospholipase A2 and Phospholipase C routes. Despite this observation, UVB-induced fibrinogen binding was found to be correlated with a 40% increase in phosphorylated 47 kD protein. Both findings could be completely inhibited in the presence of staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C (PK-C). In efforts to explain the mechanism of PK-C activation by UV radiation they found that both UV-induced PK-C activation and platelet aggregation were significantly reduced in the presence of specific scavengers for reactive oxygen species including superoxide dismutase and catalase. It is concluded that exposure of platelets to UVB radiation can activate PK-C via oxygen radicals, resulting in exposure of fibrinogen binding sites and subsequent platelet aggregation. (Author)