A thrombus is formed by a gradient of platelet activation and procoagulant endothelium

Abstract Introduction The contribution of platelets in thrombosis within microcirculation has been extensively documented in the literature. We previously showed, in vivo, that platelet activation revealed by intracellular calcium mobilization was a crucial step in the growth of thrombi following laser-induced injury, a model of thromboinflammation. Aim We employed a multimodal, correlative microscopy approach and computational biology to investigate the extent of platelet activation and the spatial distribution of platelets throughout a growing thrombus. Results We observed a reversible intracellular platelet calcium mobilization that correlates with the time a platelet resides during thrombus growth. Our bioinformatics analysis displayed three distinct platelet subpopulations resident within a thrombus: (1) resting, (2) partially activated, and (3) “fully” activated platelets. The spatial distribution of the platelet subpopulations in the thrombus creates a double gradient in both the transversal and longitudinal axis, with the maximal percentage of fully activated platelets close to the site of injury. However, these activated platelets did not express negative phospholipids. The injured endothelium was identified to play a vital role in activating the blood coagulation cascade in this model of thrombosis. Conclusion Following a laser-induced injury, thrombi are formed by a gradient of activated platelets from the injury site to the periphery of the thrombus. These different activation states of platelets throughout the thrombi regulate the biomechanics of the thrombus. The injured endothelium, rather than platelets, was identified to play a key role in the activation of the blood coagulation cascade in this model of thromboinflammation. Essentials Computational biology was used to analyze thrombosis. Non-activated, low- and fully-activated platelets are part of a thrombus. The activation of the platelets forms a gradient from the site of injury to the periphery. The endothelium, and not platelets, expressed negative phospholipids. Graphical abstract A thrombus is formed by a gradient of platelet activation and procoagulant endothelium