Platelet
Adhesion
Platelet
adhesion is the initial step in the formation
of the hemostatic plug. When injury occurs to
the endothelium, platelets escape from the blood
vessel. Under the high shear flow stress at the
site of injury, they come in contact with and
adhere to subendothelial tissues. Platelets immediately
begin to adhere with the help of vWF, forming
bridges or connections between platelet surface
molecule glycoprotein Ib and components on the
subendothelium (mostly collagen fibers). This
process continues with attachment of platelet
receptors to several adhesive proteins in the
matrix of connective tissue. Other platelets spread
in a similar fashion, covering the collagen surface
with a single layer of platelets.1,2
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