Burro aortic collagen: platelet aggregating activity and ultrastructural changes induced by plasma.

A fibrillar collagen molecule was extracted from the upper thoracic aorta of an old burro (Equus asinus). Presence of the collagen in the extract was determined by amino acid analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, incubation with collagenase, and assays of its platelet-aggregating capacity by "aggregometry". Based on the amino acid rations of proline/hydroxyproline and lysine/hydroxylysine, the collagenous protein most nearly resembles type I of 4 main published types of collagen. Quantitative assays of the collagen as a mediator of platelet aggregation showed human platelets more sensitive and sheep platelets slightly less sensitive than burro platelets. Incubation with collagenase abolished platelet aggregation capacity and converted the fibrillar collagen to a gel-like mass. Incubation with galactose oxidase neither lessened nor intensified the collagen-mediated platelet aggregation. Incubation with burro plasma decreased platelet aggregating activity and changed the collagen ultrastructure (demonstrated with scanning electron microscopic imaging). The significance of a naturally occurring plasma (protein) factor(s) which may have a regulatory role in reducing the chemical activity of the fibrillar collagen molecule with platelets is also discussed.