Spectrophotometric evaluation of the adhesion of blood platelets to collagen and microfibrils

We present an easy method in which the adhesion of platelets to collagen or to MFs was measured in a spectrophotometer, after an incubation of hypercitrated platelet rich plasma (PRP), or of a platelet suspension, with an inducer, followed by the filtration of non adhering platelets through translucent Isopore membrane filters (pore diameter = 5 microns). The adhering platelets, which are retained on the filter, were stained by Coomassie blue to quantify the adhesion by the simple reading of the O.D. 580 nm of the stained platelets which appear as a blue spot on the translucent membranes.