Platelet inhibition by P2Y₁₂ antagonists is potentiated by adenosine signalling activators

Background and Purpose P2Y 12 receptor antagonists reduce platelet aggregation and the incidence of arterial thrombosis. Adenosine signalling in platelets directly affects cyclic nucleotide tone, which we have shown to have a synergistic relationship with P2Y 12 inhibition. Several studies suggest that ticagrelor inhibits erythrocyte uptake of adenosine and that this could also contribute to its antiplatelet effects. We therefore examined the effects on platelet activation of adenosine signalling activators in combination with the P2Y 12 receptor antagonists ticagrelor and prasugrel. Experimental Approach Human washed platelets, platelet‐rich plasma and whole blood were used to test the interactions between ticagrelor or prasugrel and adenosine or 5′‐ N ‐ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA). Platelet reactivity to thrombin, protease‐activated receptor 1 (PAR‐1) activation or collagen was assessed by a combination of 96‐well plate aggregometry, light transmission aggregometry, whole blood aggregometry, ATP release assay and levels of cAMP. Key Results The inhibitory effects of ticagrelor and prasugrel on platelet aggregation and ATP release were enhanced in the presence of adenosine or NECA. Isobolographic analysis indicated a powerful synergy between P2Y 12 receptor inhibition and adenosine signalling activators. Increased levels of cAMP in platelets were also observed. In all cases, ticagrelor showed similar synergistic effects on platelet inhibition as prasugrel in the presence of adenosine or NECA. Conclusion and Implications These results indicate that P2Y 12 antagonists have a synergistic relationship with adenosine signalling and that their efficacy may depend partly upon the presence of endogenous adenosine. This effect was common for prasugrel and ticagrelor despite reports of differences in their effects upon adenosine reuptake.