Development of a method to quantify platelet adhesion and aggregation under static conditions.

Platelets are important players in hemostasis and thrombosis. Thus, accurate assessment of platelet function is crucial for identifying platelet function disorders and measuring the efficacy of antiplatelet therapies. We have developed a novel platelet aggregation technique that utilizes the physical parameter of platelet concentration in conjunction with volume and mass measurements to evaluate platelet adhesion and aggregation. Platelet aggregates were formed by incubating purified platelets on fibrinogen- or fibrillar collagen-coated surfaces at platelet concentrations ranging from 20,000 to 500,000 platelets/ L. Platelets formed aggregates under static conditions in a platelet concentration-dependent manner, with significantly greater mean volume and mass at higher platelet concentrations ( 400,000 platelets/ L). We show that a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor abrogated platelet-platelet aggregation, which significantly reduced the volume and mass of the platelets on the collagen surface. This static platelet aggregation technique is amenable to standardization and represents a useful tool to investigate the mechanism of platelet activation and aggregation under static conditions.