Development of virtual platelets implementing the functions of three platelet membrane proteins with different...

Computer simulation is a new method for understanding biological phenomena. In this report, we developed a simple platelet simulator representing platelet adhesion under blood flow conditions.

We generated virtual platelets based on the functions of three key adhesive proteins: glycoprotein (GP) Ibα, GPIIb/IIIa and collagen receptors. The adhesive force between GPIbα and von Willebrand factor (VWF) was set to increase in association with increments in the fluid shear stress. GPIIb/IIIa acquires an adhesive force to bind with ligands only when platelets are activated following multiple GPIbα stimulation by VWF or collagen receptors.

Upon perfusion over the area of virtual endothelial injury, the virtual platelets adhered and became activated to form platelet thrombi. A total of 286/mm(2) of activated platelets was found to have accumulated downstream of the flow obstacle within 30 seconds, with 59/mm(2) platelets adhering upstream. The results obtained with the virtual model were consistent with those for real platelets in human blood in the presence of similarly shaped flow obstacles.

Our computer platelet simulator, which employs the functions of three key platelet membrane proteins, shows similar findings for adhesion in the presence and absence of blood flow obstacles.