Adhesion and aggregation of thrombin prestimulated human platelets: evaluation of surface-bound fibrinogen and surface-bound albumin.

The effect of prestimulation of human washed platelets with thrombin on their ability to adhere to and form aggregates on fibrinogen- and albumin-coated glass has been studied. Prestimulation of platelets does not alter platelet adhesion to surface bound albumin and fibrinogen. Our data for both protein coatings support a mechanism of adherence of single prestimulated platelets before formation of surface-bound aggregates from single platelets arriving from the flow. When whole blood contacts an artificial surface, thrombin will likely influence the platelet component of thrombus formation.