# Role of the Endothelium and Neutrophils in the Prothrombotic Nature of HIT > **NIH NIH R01** · CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA · 2020 · $237,540 ## Abstract ABSTRACT Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an iatrogenic severe prothrombotic disease caused by an immune response to complexes of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and polyanions, such as heparin, accompanied by mild- moderate thrombocytopenia. We have studied the biological basis of this prothrombotic state in vitro using a novel human endothelial-lined microfluidic system, and in vivo, using a HIT model focused on mice that are transgenic for both human (h) PF4 and FcgRIIA. We found that in both, PF4 released from platelets followed by HIT-associated antibodies (HIT Abs) bound predominantly to the perithrombus endothelium. These endothelial-bound complexes propel thrombus growth and extension. Additionally, we found that PF4 enhanced neutrophil binding to injured endothelium and caused activated neutrophils to extrude its chromatin termed neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs were compacted by PF4, enhancing their resistance to digestion by DNase. HIT Abs bound to these compacted NETs, further enhancing their DNase resistance. We propose that this sequence of events contributes to the intense prothrombotic sequelae of HIT and resistance to anti-thrombotic therapy. We will now further pursue these observations: Specific Aim (SA) #1: Understanding the role of the endothelium in HIT. We showed that PF4 released from platelets binds preferentially to injured perithrombus endothelium concurrent with loss of its heparan-sulfate-rich glycocalyx. It is unclear how endothelial injury with loss of glycocalyx increases PF4 binding. This unexpected increase will be pursued in the microfluidic system and in mice with genetic defects in glycocalyx formation. Strategies to attenuate the prothrombotic nature of HIT directed at the endothelium will also be pursued. SA#2: Understanding the role of neutrophils in HIT. PF4/HIT Abs complexes augment neutrophil adhesion to injured endothelium in vitro. In addition, in situ studies in HIT mice show enhanced neutrophil adhesion to thrombi in HIT and formation of neutrophil/platelet hetero-aggregates in hepatic vessels. These observations suggest important role(s) for neutrophils in HIT. We will extend the in situ studies of neutrophils in HIT to other target organs and we will study neutropenic HIT mice to confirm the importance of neutrophils to HIT- associated thrombosis and thrombocytopenia. We will test whether adhesion of neutrophils via P-selectin and its ligands mediate these observations and whether blocking this pathway ameliorates the thrombosis and/or thrombocytopenia. SA#3: Understanding the role of NET-release (NETosis) in HIT. We posit that PF4/HIT- Ab-stabilized NETs are highly prothrombotic. We have begun to test this concept in vitro and in vivo using HIT mice that cannot undergo NETosis, and will also measure soluble markers released from NETs in HIT. Thus, this proposal focuses on the roles of the endothelium and neutrophils in the development of HIT, and may lead to novel therapeutic approache... ## Key facts - **NIH application ID:** 9836876 - **Project number:** 5R01HL139448-03 - **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA - **Principal Investigator:** Mortimer Poncz - **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.) - **Funding institute:** NIH - **Fiscal year:** 2020 - **Award amount:** $237,540 - **Award type:** 5 - **Project period:** 2017-12-19 → 2020-04-30 ## Primary source NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9836876 ## Citation > US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9836876, Role of the Endothelium and Neutrophils in the Prothrombotic Nature of HIT (5R01HL139448-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9836876. Licensed CC0. --- *[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*