Morphometric analysis of spread platelets identifies integrin α_IIbβ₃-specific contractile phenotype.

ABSTRACT: Haemostatic platelet function is intimately linked to cellular mechanics and cytoskeletal morphology. How cytoskeletal reorganizations give rise to a highly contractile phenotype that is necessary for clot contraction remains poorly understood. To elucidate this process in vitro, we developed a morphometric screen to quantify the spatial organization of actin fibres and vinculin adhesion sites in single spread platelets. Platelets from healthy donors predominantly adopted a bipolar morphology on fibrinogen and fibronectin, whereas distinguishable, more isotropic phenotypes on collagen type I or laminin. Specific integrin α_IIbβ₃ inhibitors induced an isotropic cytoskeletal organization in a dose-dependent manner. The same trend was observed with decreasing matrix stiff

SUBMITTER: Lickert S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5882949 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature