FIGURE 2.

Biomechanical platelet interactions with the microenvironment. When platelets are in suspension in circulation, they not only move in the direction of the flow but also rotate and are subjected to mechanical interactions with red blood cells, which “push” them to the periphery. After vascular injury occurs, the extracellular matrix (collagen, laminin, and fibronectin) is exposed, and platelets in a high-shear environment bind and tether to von Willibrand factor and bind to collagen to begin thrombus formation. Following this, platelet activation and aggregation occur with signaling of mechanical and biochemical pathways. This subsequently leads to platelet plug formation and dot formation to dramatically shrink and stabilize the thrombus.