Work

Arterial human blood flow can be stopped by cables of VWF and platelets without coagulation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT: Arterial thrombi formed under high shear rates (∼15 000/s) must withstand substantial forces to occlude arteries, as occurs in myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke, driving the need to understand the structural features responsible for their strength. We used scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy to characterize the structure of in vitro high-shear thrombi. We show that the occlusive portion of the thrombus consists of a thick, transverse cable spanning the channel width. The cable is made of hundreds of parallel strings of platelets joined by yarns of von Willebrand factor (VWF) fibers identified by immunofluorescence microscopy. The elements composing the occlusive structure-cable, strings, yarns, and fibers, listed in hierarchical order-are oriented in the direction of tension to confer high breakage strength and stability to resist the upstream pressure. This structural hierarchy supports VWF-VWF bonding as a potential new target for the prevention and lysis of occlusive arterial thrombi.

Source: Blood Advances

DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2025017354

Authors: Edouard L. V. Machenaud, John W. Weisel, Rustem I. Litvinov, Chandrasekaran Nagaswami, David N. Ku

Institutions: Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Platelet Disorders and Treatments

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,800