Analysis of fibrin networks using topological data analysis - a feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Hematology
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Blood clot formation is vital for hemostasis but implicated in thrombosis.
• Microscopic analysis of clots offers insights into pathophysiology and therapeutics.
• Objective methods are needed to classify fibrin network architecture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Topological Data Analysis (TDA) for microscopic assessment of plasma clot characteristics.
• To objectively classify fibrin networks based on their topological architecture.
• To evaluate TDA's utility in identifying clots with compromised stability.

Main Methods:

• Confocal microscopy images of fluorescence-labeled fibrin networks were analyzed.
• Topological Data Analysis (TDA) was used to identify components, holes, and Wasserstein distances.
• The approach was tested on porcine and human citrated plasma clots under static conditions.

Main Results:

• TDA successfully quantified visual differences in plasma clot architecture caused by dilution and thrombin inhibition.
• Significant mathematical differences were detected between baseline and diluted samples.
• Blood anticoagulated with argatroban showed significant differences when analyzed with TDA.

Conclusions:

• TDA provides an objective mathematical characterization of fibrin network topology.
• This approach can quantify clot microstructure and identify compromised clot stability.
• TDA offers a promising tool for thrombosis risk assessment and understanding clot pathophysiology.