Berlin 2018 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 10: Postersession II

BP 10.13: Poster

Monday, March 12, 2018, 17:30–19:30, Poster C

Time Resolved Measurements of Force Evolution in Platelets Under Flow Condition — •Jana Hanke, Anna Zelena, and Sarah Köster — Institute of X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany

Force generation plays an important role for numerous biological processes like contraction, spreading and motility. In vivo, both chemical and physical cues influence this process. For cells like e.g. endothelial cells and blood cells, an important physical factor is external shear flow. Blood platelets, in particular, generate strong forces while constantly being subject to shear. Hence, studying the impact of shear on their contractile behaviour is important for the understanding the mechanics of blood clotting. Here, we present a method combining microfluidics with time-resolved traction force microscopy to mimic blood flow. We study the adhesion and contraction of human blood platelets under low shear rate conditions as found in veins and compare the results to data recorded without flow. We can reveal that the spatial traction force distribution and the total force remains unchanged with increasing shear flow. Similarly, the force dipoles show no difference in the degree of anisotropy between static and flow conditions. Interestingly, however, when studying the preferred orientation of contraction with respect to the flow direction, we observe adaptation of the platelets to the flow. With increasing shear rate, the angle rises from 45° to 90°. Our microfluidic chamber can be easily reproduced and adapted to mimic various different physiological conditions, enabling the study of other cell types.