Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

10:10
Platelet Adhesion and Aggregation Under Flow using Microfluidic Flow Cells
Published on: October 27, 2009
A functional integrin ligand on the surface of platelets: intercellular adhesion molecule-2
T G Diacovo1, A R deFougerolles, D F Bainton
1Harvard Medical School, Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Platelets express intercellular adhesion molecule-2 (ICAM-2), a molecule crucial for leukocyte interactions. This finding suggests ICAM-2 plays a key role in inflammation and thrombosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Platelets are known to express P-selectin and release chemoattractants.
- However, their role in stabilizing leukocyte interactions via integrin ligands was unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of beta 2-integrin ligands on platelets.
- To determine the role of ICAM-2 in leukocyte-platelet interactions.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry on bone marrow aspirates and platelet samples.
- Immunogold labeling of platelet surface and internal structures.
- Platelet adhesion assays using purified leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and activated T lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- Intercellular adhesion molecule-2 (ICAM-2) is expressed on resting and activated platelets, but not ICAM-1 or ICAM-3.
- ICAM-2 is present on the plasma membrane and surface-connected canalicular system.
- Platelets bind to LFA-1 via ICAM-2, and this binding is enhanced by T lymphocyte activation.
Conclusions:
- ICAM-2 is the sole beta 2-integrin ligand identified on platelets.
- ICAM-2 likely mediates critical leukocyte-platelet interactions in inflammatory and thrombotic conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Integrins
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Activation of Integrins
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
Selectins
Cell adhesion is an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain, which...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Formation of the Platelet Plug
The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...

