Platelets and physics: How platelets “feel” and respond to their mechanical microenvironment

During clot formation, platelets are subjected to various different signals and cues as they dynamically interact with extracellular matrix proteins such as von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrin(ogen) and collagen. While the downstream signaling of platelet-ligand interactions is well-characterized, biophysical cues, such as hydrodynamic forces and mechanical stiffness of the underlying substrate, also mediate these interactions and affect the binding kinetics of platelets to these proteins. Recent studies have observed that, similar to nucleated cells, platelets mechanosense their microenvironment and exhibit dynamic physiologic responses to biophysical cues.

Source: Blood Reviews - May 7, 2015 Category: Hematology Authors: Yongzhi Qiu, Jordan Ciciliano, David R. Myers, Reginald Tran, Wilbur A. Lam Tags: Review Source Type: research