This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: biophysj.104.047001v1 88/2/1432    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mody, N. A. Articles by King, M. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mody, N. A. Articles by King, M. R.

Mechanics of Transient Platelet Adhesion to von Willebrand Factor under Flow

Nipa A. Mody ^*, Oleg Lomakin ^*, Teresa A. Doggett , Thomas G. Diacovo  and Michael R. King ^*

^* Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, New York; and Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

Correspondence: Address reprint requests to Michael R. King, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Box 639, Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14642. Tel.: 585-275-3285; Fax: 585-273-4746; E-mail: mike_king{at}urmc.rochester.edu.

A primary and critical step in platelet attachment to injured vascular endothelium is the formation of reversible tether bonds between the platelet glycoprotein receptor Ib and the A1 domain of surface-bound von Willebrand factor (vWF). Due to the platelet's unique ellipsoidal shape, the force mechanics involved in its tether bond formation differs significantly from that of leukocytes and other spherical cells. We have investigated the mechanics of platelet tethering to surface-immobilized vWF-A1 under hydrodynamic shear flow. A computer algorithm was used to analyze digitized images recorded during flow-chamber experiments and track the microscale motions of platelets before, during, and after contact with the surface. An analytical two-dimensional model was developed to calculate the motion of a tethered platelet on a reactive surface in linear shear flow. Through comparison of the theoretical solution with experimental observations, we show that attachment of platelets occurs only in orientations that are predicted to result in compression along the length of the platelet and therefore on the bond being formed. These results suggest that hydrodynamic compressive forces may play an important role in initiating tether bond formation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. J. Maxwell, S. M. Dopheide, S. J. Turner, and S. P. Jackson Shear Induces a Unique Series of Morphological Changes in Translocating Platelets: Effects of Morphology on Translocation Dynamics Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., March 1, 2006; 26(3): 663 - 669. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]