Differences in morphology and protein pattern of human blood platelets during irreversible and diamide mediated reversible aggregation.

Morphological alterations of platelets during reversible aggregation mediated by diamide are compared with those observed during irreversible aggregation. Diamide prevents cell fusion and the formation of loop-like structures which probably arise from fusing plasma membranes. Differences in the protein pattern of platelets after reversible and irreversible aggregation suggest a specific involvement of SH-proteins in irreversible platelet aggregation. The diamide mediated alterations of platelet aggregation behaviour are transitory, i.e. reversibly aggregated platelets respond normally to a new addition of aggregation inducers without and with diamide, respectively.