The dynamics of leukocyte-platelet adhesion and platelet-platelet interaction in whole blood are not well understood. Using different platelet agonists, we have studied the whole blood kinetics of these heterotypic and homotypic interactions, the relative abilities of different leukocyte subsets to participate in platelet adhesion, and the ligands responsible for adhesion. When platelet aggrega...

BACKGROUND Present therapies for acute coronary syndromes aim toward limiting platelet-platelet adhesion and aggregation processes. However, platelet-leukocyte interactions may contribute importantly to disease progression in the arterial wall. Recent studies suggest that prevention of platelet-leukocyte binding via P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) may be beneficial in animal models of...

Type VI collagen is a subendothelial constituent that binds von Willebrand factor (vWF) and platelets. The interaction of platelets with type VI collagen and the roles of platelet glycoprotein (GP) receptors and vWF were studied under flow conditions using epi-fluorescent videomicroscopy coupled with digital image processing. We found that surface coverage was less than 6% on collagen VI at a r...

BACKGROUND Atherothrombosis underlies acute coronary syndromes, including unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction. Within the unstable plaque, monocytes express collagenolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including MMP-13, which degrades fibrous collagen. Following rupture, vessel wall components including degraded collagen are exposed to circulating platelets. Platelet receptors t...

The cellular phospholipid membrane plays an important role in cell function and cell-cell communication, but its biocomplexity and dynamic nature presents a challenge for examining cellular uptake of phospholipids and the resultant effects on cell function. Platelets, small anuclear circulating cell bodies that influence a wide variety of physiological functions through their dynamic secretory ...

In a new 2-stage assay of platelet procoagulant activity (PCA), we first subjected gel-filtered platelets to adhesion on collagen (as a model of primary hemostasis) or plasma clots (as a model of preformed thrombus) for 30 minutes, and then the adherent platelets were supplemented with pooled, reptilase-treated, diluted plasma. Defibrinated plasma provided coagulation factors for assembly on pl...

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) has been suggested as a counter receptor to platelet glycoprotein Ibα that supports initial platelet adhesion in absence of von Willebrand factor (VWF). Conversely, several other studies have shown that TSP1 interacts with VWF and may play a mechanistic role in modulating thrombosis. However, the in vivo evidence to support this mechanism remains unclear. Using intravita...

Platelets are crucial for prevention of blood loss after vessel injury. Platelet adhesion to disrupted vessel walls is mediated by receptors such as the GPIb-IX-V complex that binds von Willebrand factor and the collagen-binding integrin α2β1. Also cross-linking of platelets, mediated by αIIbβ3 that binds to fibrinogen, results in platelet aggregation that further contributes to hemostasis. Pla...

      Determination of blood compatibility is an important problem in blood contacting devices. In this study, two classes of materials including polyurethane (based on polyethylene glycol and poly tetrametylene oxide) and polyvinyl alcohol samples, with different hydrophilicity properties were synthesized and their physico-chemical properties were compared. Water uptake ratio, FTIR spectroscop...

The adhesion of human and rabbit platelets to collagens and collagen-derived fragments immobilized on plastic was investigated. Adhesion appeared to be independent of collagen conformation, since similar attachment occurred to collagen (type I) in monomeric form, as fibres or in denatured state. The adhesion of human platelets was stimulated to a variable degree by Mg2+, but rabbit platelet adh...