Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(12), 9009-9030; doi:10.3390/ijms12129009
Review

Mechanobiology of Platelets: Techniques to Study the Role of Fluid Flow and Platelet Retraction Forces at the Micro- and Nano-Scale

Shirin Feghhi 1 email and Nathan J. Sniadecki 1,2,* email
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Stevens Way, Box 352600, Seattle, WA 98195, USA 2 Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 14 October 2011; in revised form: 24 November 2011 / Accepted: 28 November 2011 / Published: 7 December 2011
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Programmable Materials for Mechanobiology)
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Abstract: Coagulation involves a complex set of events that are important in maintaining hemostasis. Biochemical interactions are classically known to regulate the hemostatic process, but recent evidence has revealed that mechanical interactions between platelets and their surroundings can also play a substantial role. Investigations into platelet mechanobiology have been challenging however, due to the small dimensions of platelets and their glycoprotein receptors. Platelet researchers have recently turned to microfabricated devices to control these physical, nanometer-scale interactions with a higher degree of precision. These approaches have enabled exciting, new insights into the molecular and biomechanical factors that affect platelets in clot formation. In this review, we highlight the new tools used to understand platelet mechanobiology and the roles of adhesion, shear flow, and retraction forces in clot formation.
Keywords: platelet aggregation; platelet forces; shear flow; BioMEMS; microfluidics

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MDPI and ACS Style

Feghhi, S.; Sniadecki, N.J. Mechanobiology of Platelets: Techniques to Study the Role of Fluid Flow and Platelet Retraction Forces at the Micro- and Nano-Scale. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12, 9009-9030.

AMA Style

Feghhi S, Sniadecki NJ. Mechanobiology of Platelets: Techniques to Study the Role of Fluid Flow and Platelet Retraction Forces at the Micro- and Nano-Scale. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2011; 12(12):9009-9030.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Feghhi, Shirin; Sniadecki, Nathan J. 2011. "Mechanobiology of Platelets: Techniques to Study the Role of Fluid Flow and Platelet Retraction Forces at the Micro- and Nano-Scale." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 12, no. 12: 9009-9030.

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