Exposure of platelet binding sites in von Willebrand factor by adsorption onto polystyrene latex particles

In vitro evaluation of elastic multiblock co-polymers as a scaffold material for reconstruction of blood vessels

There is a need to create cell- and histocompatible implant materials, which might temporarily replace the mechanical function of a native tissue for regenerative therapies. To match the elastic behavior of the native tissue two different multiblock co-polymers were investigated: PDC, consisting of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), and PDD, based on PPDO/poly((adipinate-alt-1,4-butanediol)-co-(adipinate-alt-ethylene glycol)-co-adipinate-alt-diethylene glycol) (Diorez). PDC is capable of a shapememory effect. Both multiblock co-polymers show an improved elasticity compared to materials applied in established vascular prosthesis. PDD is softer than PDC at 20°C, while PDC maintains its elasticity at 37°C. Thermodynamic characteristics indicate a more polar surface of PDD. Low cell adhesion was found on surfaces with low molar free energy of hysteresis (ΔG) derived from contact angle measurements in wetting and dewetting mode and high cell adhesion on high-ΔG surfaces. An increasing content of PCL in PDC improved cell adhesion and spreading of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The prothrombotic potential of PDD is higher than PDC. Finally, it is concluded that PDC is a promising material for vascular tissue engineering because of its improved elastic properties, as well as balanced prothrombotic and anti-thrombotic properties with endothelial cells.

Antihemostatic activity of human granzyme B mediated by cleavage of von Willebrand factor

The cytotoxic lymphocyte protease granzyme B (GrB) is elevated in the plasma of individuals with diseases that elicit a cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated immune response. Given the recently recognized ability of GrB to cleave extracellular matrix proteins, we examined the effect of GrB on the pro-hemostatic molecule von Willebrand factor (VWF). GrB delays ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation and inhibits platelet adhesion and spreading on immobilized VWF under static conditions. It efficiently cleaves VWF at two sites within the A1-3 domains that are essential for the VWF-platelet interaction. Like the VWF regulatory proteinase ADAMTS-13, GrB-mediated cleavage is dependent upon VWF conformation. In vitro, GrB cannot cleave the VWF conformer found in solution, but cleavage is induced when VWF is artificially unfolded or presented as a matrix. GrB cleaves VWF with comparable efficiency to ADAMTS-13 and rapidly processes ultra-large VWF multimers released from activated endothelial cells under physiological shear. GrB also cleaves the matrix form of fibrinogen at several sites. These studies suggest extracellular GrB may help control localized coagulation during inflammation.

Von Willebrand factor, a key protein in the exposure of CD62P on platelets

When a biomaterial is introduced into the body water, electrolytes, and proteins adsorb to the surface. Platelets are then the first cells to interact with the surface adsorbed protein layer. We have studied the role of von Willebrand factor (vWF) for platelet-protein interaction by measuring different platelet responses to protein- and plasma-coated hydrophobic glass surfaces. A high exposure of CD62P on the platelet surface was seen after 10 min of incubation on platelets interacting with vWF and normal plasma-coated surfaces (79 and 67%, respectively). On the surfaces coated with albumin and factor VIII deficient plasma, the exposure was low (11 and 27%, respectively). A higher formation of filipodial extensions on the platelets was seen on the surfaces coated with vWF and normal plasma than on the surfaces coated with albumin or factor VIII deficient plasma. No significant differences were seen between the surfaces regarding the platelet release of PF4, ATP, or phospholipids. As shown by these results, vWF is a specific regulator of the exposure of CD62P by platelets and hence important for the interaction between platelets and later arriving neutrophils at biomaterial surfaces.

Analysis of the Involvement of the von Willebrand Factor–Glycoprotein Ib Interaction in Platelet Adhesion to a Collagen-Coated Surface Under Flow Conditions

The requisite initial reaction for in vivo thrombus formation in flowing blood is platelet adhesion to the exposed surface of the extracellular matrix. The contribution of von Willebrand factor (vWF ) in plasma and glycoprotein (GP) Ib on the platelet membrane to platelet adhesion has been well-documented. We have recently developed a procedure (the “flow adhesion assay”) for measuring platelet adhesion under flow conditions that allowed us to characterize platelet adhesion to a collagen-coated surface. Here, we apply our method to analyze platelet adhesion to a vWF-coated surface to determine how this might differ from adhesion to a collagen-coated surface. Platelet adhesion to the vWF-coated surface was monitored as the linear increase in the area occupied by adherent platelets. The fluorescence image showed that platelets adhering to the vWF surface were mainly single platelets, and if any were present, the platelet aggregates were small, this being the primary difference from the adhesion to a collagen surface, where adherent platelets were mostly in aggregates. The flow adhesion assay detected the movement of platelets on the vWF surface, suggesting the reversible binding of vWF with platelets. The velocity of the platelets increased at higher shear rates or at lower vWF densities on the surface. Treatment of the vWF-coated surface with the aggregating agent botrocetin before initiation of blood flow increased platelet adhesion while dramatically decreasing the velocity of platelet movement. The present observations on the adhesion of platelets to the vWF-pretreated collagen surface and measurements of the velocity of platelets moving on the collagen surface suggest that the first interaction on the collagen-coated surface is the binding of vWF molecules to the collagen surface. This small number of vWF molecules would serve to attract and slow platelets flowing near the surface. This would facilitate the actual adhesion to the collagen surface that is mainly generated by the interaction between platelet collagen receptors, including GP Ia/IIa and GP VI, with collagen.

Analysis of the Involvement of the von Willebrand Factor–Glycoprotein Ib Interaction in Platelet Adhesion to a Collagen-Coated Surface Under Flow Conditions

The requisite initial reaction for in vivo thrombus formation in flowing blood is platelet adhesion to the exposed surface of the extracellular matrix. The contribution of von Willebrand factor (vWF ) in plasma and glycoprotein (GP) Ib on the platelet membrane to platelet adhesion has been well-documented. We have recently developed a procedure (the “flow adhesion assay”) for measuring platelet adhesion under flow conditions that allowed us to characterize platelet adhesion to a collagen-coated surface. Here, we apply our method to analyze platelet adhesion to a vWF-coated surface to determine how this might differ from adhesion to a collagen-coated surface. Platelet adhesion to the vWF-coated surface was monitored as the linear increase in the area occupied by adherent platelets. The fluorescence image showed that platelets adhering to the vWF surface were mainly single platelets, and if any were present, the platelet aggregates were small, this being the primary difference from the adhesion to a collagen surface, where adherent platelets were mostly in aggregates. The flow adhesion assay detected the movement of platelets on the vWF surface, suggesting the reversible binding of vWF with platelets. The velocity of the platelets increased at higher shear rates or at lower vWF densities on the surface. Treatment of the vWF-coated surface with the aggregating agent botrocetin before initiation of blood flow increased platelet adhesion while dramatically decreasing the velocity of platelet movement. The present observations on the adhesion of platelets to the vWF-pretreated collagen surface and measurements of the velocity of platelets moving on the collagen surface suggest that the first interaction on the collagen-coated surface is the binding of vWF molecules to the collagen surface. This small number of vWF molecules would serve to attract and slow platelets flowing near the surface. This would facilitate the actual adhesion to the collagen surface that is mainly generated by the interaction between platelet collagen receptors, including GP Ia/IIa and GP VI, with collagen.

Aggregation efficiency of activated normal or fixed platelets in a simple shear field: effect of shear and fibrinogen occupancy

Shear rate can affect protein adsorption and platelet aggregation by regulating both the collision frequency and the capture efficiency (alpha). These effects were evaluated in well defined shear field in a micro-couette for shear rate G = 10 - 1000 s-1. The rate of protein binding was independent of G, shown for adsorption of albumin to latex beads and PAC1 to activated platelets. The initial aggregation rate for ADP-activated platelets in citrated platelet-rich plasma followed second order kinetics at the initial platelet concentrations between 20,000 and 60,000/microliters. alpha values, which dropped nearly fivefold for a 10-fold increase in G, were approximately proportional to G-1, contrary to a minor drop predicted by the theory that includes protein cross-bridging. Varying ADP concentration did not change alpha of maximally activated platelet subpopulations, suggesting that aggregation between unactivated and activated platelets is negligible. Directly blocking the unoccupied but activated GPIIb-IIIa receptors without affecting pre-bound Fg on "RGD"-activated, fixed platelets (AFP) by GRGDSP or Ro 43-5054 eliminated aggregation, suggesting that cross-bridging of GPIIb-IIIa on adjacent platelets by fibrinogen mediates aggregation. Alpha for AFP remained maximal (approximately 0.24) over 25-75% Fg occupancy, otherwise decreasing rapidly, with a half-maximum occurring at around 2% occupancy, suggesting that very few bound Fg were required to cause significant aggregation.