title: Rupture Forces among Human Blood Platelets at different Degrees of Activation.
abstract: Little is known about mechanics underlying the interaction among platelets during activation and aggregation. Although the strength of a blood thrombus has likely major biological importance, no previous study has measured directly the adhesion forces of single platelet-platelet interaction at different activation states. Here, we filled this void first, by minimizing surface mediated platelet-activation and second, by generating a strong adhesion force between a single platelet and an AFM cantilever, preventing early platelet detachment. We applied our setup to measure rupture forces between two platelets using different platelet activation states, and blockade of platelet receptors. The rupture force was found to increase proportionally to the degree of platelet activation, but reduced with blockade of specific platelet receptors. Quantification of single platelet-platelet interaction provides major perspectives for testing and improving biocompatibility of new materials; quantifying the effect of drugs on platelet function; and assessing the mechanical characteristics of acquired/inherited platelet defects.
authors.affiliation: Nanostructure Group, ZIK HIKE - Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.|Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Thi-Huong
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Nanostructure Group, ZIK HIKE - Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.|Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Raghavendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palankar
authors.affiliation: Nanostructure Group, ZIK HIKE - Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.|Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Van-Chien
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Bui
authors.affiliation: Nanostructure Group, ZIK HIKE - Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Nikolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Medvedev
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greinacher
authors.affiliation: Nanostructure Group, ZIK HIKE - Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.|Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delcea
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D015539:Platelet Activation; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis; D013499:Surface Properties