The use of correlative SEM and TEM to study thrombocyte and platelet adhesion to artificial surfaces

Platelet adhesion is a complex process involving circulating cells, the damaged vessel wall and the complex medium of plasma in which the events take place. Elucidation of several cellular changes which occur during adhesion has been enhanced through the use of conventional transmission and scanning electron microscopy; however, many question, particularly relating to cytoplasmic control of cellular reorganization have remained unanswered. This paper describes the preparative techniques and the potential for use of correlative stereo SEM and TEM in studies of platelet adhesion. Three particular techniques: (1) stereo SEM, (2) stereo SEM-TEM of digest replicas and (3) whole mount stereo TEM are described. The applicability of these techniques to areas of cytoplasmic filaments organization, granule movement, and cell to cell contact organization is suggested.