Advanced Optical Imaging of Blood Thrombus

Xuefei He,Elizabeth E Gardiner,Samantha J Montague,Woei Ming Lee,Xu Tao,O Fähnle,A Vasdekis

doi:10.1051/epjconf/201921511003

Abstract

The application of advanced optical imaging technology for platelet biology is in its infancy. In this talk, we shall introduce the potential impact of optical imaging in understanding the roles of platelets in thrombus formation and in hemostasis. We will summarize how techniques in optical imaging has enabled exploration of morphological, molecular and fluidic parameters that determine platelet adhesion, activation and consequent roles in thrombus formation. Finally, we discuss the convergence of multiple imaging modalities towards a complete understanding of platelet roles in thrombus formation.

Highlights

Discoveries in biological sciences have largely been driven by the advances in technological tools
The first observation of platelets were made by Max Schultze who used a 17th century optical microscope with a moist chamber to reveal individual granulates during the process of coagulation
This method was insufficient for in depth investigations. It was only until the use of immersion microscope objective by Bizzozero, an Italian microscopist, in 1881 that lead to an in-depth characterization of platelets as an independent component of blood cells around the mesenteric vessels of rabbits and guinea pigs

Summary

Thrombus formatin

Discoveries in biological sciences have largely been driven by the advances in technological tools. The first observation of platelets were made by Max Schultze who used a 17th century optical microscope with a moist chamber to reveal individual granulates (particles) during the process of coagulation (formation of a blood clot). This method was insufficient for in depth investigations. A key finding by Bizzozero was the crucial role of platelets in the formation of hemostatic thrombus following a controlled injury to blood vessels. Studies of platelets are generally focused on deeper understanding of the finely regulated molecular mechanism in hemostasis and thrombus formation (process of blood clot), which have major involvement in o different diseases progressions such as atherosclerosis, angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. The innate mechanisms that control thrombus propagation, thrombus stability and embolism in an in vivo setting remains poorly quantified and understood.[3, 4]

Imaging thrombus under flow using microfluidics

Multimodality imaging in thrombus and platelet studies