Quantitative structural mechanobiology of platelet-driven blood clot contraction

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00885-x
• Publication Date: 2017-10-27T19:35:01Z
• Authors: Oleg V. Kim; Rustem I. Litvinov; Mark S. Alber; John W. Weisel
• Keywords: Filopodia; Clot retraction; mechanobiology; Platelet adhesiveness

Blood clot contraction plays an important role in prevention of bleeding and thrombotic disorders. Here, we unveil quantify the structural mechanisms at level single platelets. A key elementary step is sequential extension-retraction platelet filopodia attached to fibrin fibers. In contrast other cell-matrix systems which cells migrate along fibers, "hand-over-hand" longitudinal pulling causes shortening bending platelet-attached resulting formation fiber kinks. When multiple platelets densify network by on fibers transversely their axes. Single aggregates use actomyosin contractile machinery integrin-mediated adhesion remodel extracellular matrix, inducing compaction into bundled agglomerates tightly associated with activated The revealed platelet-driven blood demonstrate new biological application cell motility principles.