Vessel wall proteins adhesive for platelets

: Platelet adhesion to the vessel wall is the first step in the development of a haemostatic plug or thrombus. In vitro studies of platelet adhesion in flowing blood have become possible due to the development of suitable perfusion chambers. With the use of such chambers, adhesion to subendothelium and to isolated connective tissue components from the vessel wall has been realized. Such studies have begun to shed light on the molecular basis of the adhesion process. Von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibronectin, and collagen types I and III have been shown to be the most important adhesive proteins. The functional domains involved in vWF and fibronectin are being identified and the platelet receptors for these ligands have been established. A complicated picture of multiple mutually supportive ligand-receptor interactions has emerged. These insights are critical for the development of thrombo-resistant biomaterials.