The modulation of platelet adhesion and activation by chitosan through plasma and extracellular matrix proteins

• Published in: Biomaterials 2011-10, Vol.32 (28), p.6655-6662
• Main Authors: Lord, Megan S, Cheng, Bill, McCarthy, Simon J, Jung, MoonSun, Whitelock, John M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activation; Adhesion; Adsorption; Advanced Basic Science; Biomedical materials; Blood Platelets - drug effects; Blood Platelets - physiology; Blood Proteins - metabolism; Chitosan; Chitosan - pharmacology; Collagens; Dentistry; Extracellular Matrix Proteins - metabolism; Humans; Integrins; Modulation; Platelet Adhesiveness - drug effects; Platelets; Protein adsorption; Proteins; Wound Healing - drug effects
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.05.062

Abstract Chitosan has been shown to promote initial wound closure events to prevent blood loss. Platelet adhesion and activation are crucial early events in these processes after traumatic bleeding leading to thrombus formation. Platelet adhesion to chitosan was found to be enhanced in the presence of adsorbed plasma and extracellular matrix proteins and was found to be primarily mediated by αIIb β3 integrins, while α2 β1 integrins were found to be involved in platelet adhesion to collagen and perlecan. Platelets were found to be activated by chitosan, as shown by an increase in the expression of αIIb β3 integrins and P-selectin, while the extent of activation was modulated by the presence of proteins including perlecan and fibrinogen. Collagen-coated chitosan was found to activate platelets to the same extent as either chitosan or collagen alone. These data support the role of plasma and extracellular matrix proteins in promoting chitosan mediated platelet adhesion and activation supporting the hypothesis that chitosan promotes wound healing via these interactions.