Ultrastructural localization of coagulation factor V in human platelets

The distribution and transport in platelets of human coagulation Factor V was investigated by immunofluorescent and immunoelectron microscopy. In resting intact platelets, little surface staining was observed by immunofluorescence. In permeable resting cells, punctate staining similar to that reported for fibrinogen (Fbg), thrombospondin (TSP), fibronectin (Fn), von Willebrand factor (VWF), B-thromboglobulin (BTG), and platelet Factor 4 (PF4) was observed. Double label immunofluorescent staining for Fbg and Factor V demonstrated colocalization, suggesting their presence in the same intracellular structure. Thrombin stimulation induced the appearance of larger (approximately 0.5 mu) immunofluorescent masses of these proteins which exactly colocalized. Thus, at the light level, Factor V and Fbg are localized in the same structure in resting and thrombin-stimulated cells. On the ultrastructural level, an alpha granule localization for Fbg has previously been established. We have extended our immunofluorescent observations regarding the localization of Factor V in human platelets by use of transmission electron microscopy of antibody-stained ultrathin frozen sections. In resting cells, staining of virtually all alpha granules was observed for Factor V. In contrast, consistent staining was absent from other organelles including plasma membranes, mitochondria, and vacuolar structures which may represent the open canalicular system. These data thus establish at the ultrastructural level an alpha granule localization of human coagulation Factor V.