Red blood cell aggregation within a blood clot causes platelet-independent clot shrinkage.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

Platelet-driven blood clot contraction (retraction) is important for hemostasis and thrombosis. Red blood cells (RBCs) occupy approximately half of the clot volume, but their possible active contribution to contraction is unknown. The work was aimed at elucidating the ability of RBCs to promote clot shrinkage. To distinguish the effects of platelets and RBCs, we formed thrombin-induced clots from reconstituted human samples containing platelet-free plasma and platelet-depleted RBCs, followed by tracking the clot size. The clots before and after RBC-induced shrinkage were analyzed using histology and scanning electron microscopy. Tension developed in the RBC-containing plasma clots was measured with rheometry, and theoretical modeling was used to elucidate the clot shrinkag

SUBMITTER: Peshkova AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12274830 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature