Spatiotemporal regulation of thrombus formation and dissolution

Abstract

Recent advances in real-time imaging techniques have greatly contributed to the full understanding of the role of functional molecules and distinctive cells. When the vascular wall is injured, platelet thrombus is immediately formed, and the subsequent fibrin formation strengthens the thrombus to prevent bleeding. These sequential reactions are well coordinated; therefore, vascular occlusion is less likely to occur as an unnecessary thrombus is not formed or quickly lysed. Real-time imaging analyses in a vascular injury mouse model and in vitro human platelet-containing plasma clot model enabled us to visualize dynamic behaviors of individual factors. In addition to impaired hemostasis, immature lysis due to impaired fibrinolysis inhibition seemed to be involved in the pathological changes in hemophilic arthropathy in hemophilia. Further imaging analysis could elucidate the spatiotemporal crosstalk regulatory mechanisms in more detail with regard to thrombus formation and dissolution.