Figure 5. Association between in vivo NETs and platelets, endothelial cells, or leukocyte-platelet aggregates.

Interactions of circulating cell-free NETs or anchored NETs with platelets, leukocytes, or vascular endothelium were investigated (n = 10, LPS treated mice). Circulating cell-free NETs (red) were binding to platelet aggregates (i; Movie S6). Platelets were aggregating to cell-free NETs (ii; arrow). Platelet thrombus formation was observed, in which cell-free NETs appeared to be a template for thrombus (ii; arrowhead). Circulating cell-free NETs were also adhering to vascular endothelium in both venule (iii) and arteriole (iv; Movie S7). NETs-leukocyte-platelet aggregates were observed in venules (v, vi; arrow). NETs seemed to be released from the leukocyte with cytoplasmic vacuoles (vi; arrowhead, Movie S8).