Role of calcium ions and phospholipids in platelet aggregation and plug formation.

Abstract

Certain phospholipids aggregate and form "plugs" in a simple system in which all variables are easily controlled. Aggregation requires the presence of divalent cations. Suspensions of lecithin are totally inactive whereas those of phosphatidylethanolamine and interaction products of lecithin and phosphatidylserine (molar ratio 1/1) aggregate and form plugs. Phosphatidylserine and lecithin-phosphatidylserine interaction products at higher molar ratios produce some aggregation but do not form plugs. Adenosine diphosphate (in the presence of small amounts of calcium) can accelerate the formation of small aggregates of platelets or exogenous phospholipids, but cannot bring about the formation of large aggregates or plugs. The hypothesis is presented that aggregation of platelets in physiological thrombus formation occurs after a triggering mechanism "uncovers" phospholipid micelles in platelets. The newly available negative charges on the polar ends of phospholipids would then be bridged by divalent cations present in the surrounding plasma, producing aggregates and plugs.