Haemostasis Flashcards
Outline the structure of platelets
Also known as thrombocytes
Very small
No nucleus
Lifespan ~10 days
Stored in spleen
Membrane-bound fragments of cytoplasm from megakaryocytes
-Surface glycoproteins (GPs)
-Phosphatidyl serine (PS)
-Rich in microfilaments and microtubules - allows contraction
Organelles
-Alpha granules (a)
- Dense granules/bodies (d)
- g and l granules
Outline the importance of alpha granules in platelets
Growth factors
-Insulin-like growth factor
-Platelet-derived growth factor
-Transforming growth factor beta (TGFb)
von Willebrand factor
P-selectin, thrombospondin, fibronectin
Platelet factor 4 (heparin-binding chemokine)
List other granules found in platelets and outline their importance
δ (delta or dense granules)
-contain ADP or ATP
-calcium
-serotonin
γ (gamma granules)
-similar to lysosomes
-contain hydrolytic enzymes
λ (lambda granules)
-contents involved in clot resorption
Outline the function of platelets
Primary:
Initial response to endothelial damage
Local vasoconstriction
Formation of the platelet plug
Secondary:
Strengthening and reinforcement of the platelet plug
Formation of a stable fibrin clot
Tertiary
Removal of fibrin by fibrinolysis
Restore vessel patency (i.e. open / unblocked)
Discuss the process of Thrombopoiesis
Stem cells respond to Thrombopoietin (TPO) which is a growth factor that is produced primarily in liver (and kidney).
The stem cells differentiate into the megakaryocyte precursor cell, which then differentiates into the megakaryocyte.
Megakaryocytes undergo endomitosis until growth limit is reached and the cell membrane begins to bud off to form the thrombocytes
Describe how thrombopoiesis is regulated
Regulated by a negative feed back system where growth factor thrombopoietin binds to TPO receptors on both the megakaryocytes and platelets; if these are in high concentrations in the blood plasma then the level of TPO is kept low, reducing the maturation of CFU-Meg and thrombocyte production.
Describe the basic mechanism of blood clotting
Define haemostasis?
Stopping the flow of blood
Balancing between hypercoagulability (thrombosis) and bleeding (haemorrhagic diathesis)
List the steps involved in primary haemostasis
Initial (transient) response which influences vasoconstriction to reduced blood flow
Platelet adhesion
Platelet activation
Platelet aggregration
Describe the initial transient primary response
Damage to blood vessel endothelium
-Local neural reflexes (pain receptors)
-Muscle contraction (direct mechanical impact on smooth muscle cells)
Platelet activation
-thromboxane A produced
-serotonin released (δ granules)
Describe the primary response of platelet adhesion
Platelets bind to von Willebrand factor on exposed sub-endothelium via GPIb-IX-V receptor
Describe the primary response of platelet activation
-Platelets change shape
-GPIIb/IIIa receptor activation which binds collagen
-Release of agonists
a, b granule contents
ADP
serotonin
platelet activating factor
thromboxane A2
Describe the primary response of platelet aggregation
Primarily mediated by fibrinogen binding to GPIIb/IIIa on adjacent platelets
Enhanced by generation of thrombin (link with secondary haemostasis)
Leads to formation of the platelet plug
Explain the process of haemostasis in the healthy animal
Healthy endothelial cells & platelets repel each other (negatively charged)
Healthy endothelial cells produce prostacyclin (prostaglandin 2, PGl2)
-inhibits platelet activation
-effective vasodilator
Provide an overview of secondary haemostasis
Strengthening and reinforcement of the platelet plug
Involves coagulation factors (e.g. factor VIII)
Formation of a stable fibrin clot