Lecture 5: Blood Clotting Flashcards
What gives rise to platelets?
megakaryocytes
___ are needed for blood clotting
platelets
How do megakaryocytes give rise to platelets?
Edges of megakaryocyte break off to form platelets (cell fragments)
Megakaryocytes are…
giant cells with many copies of DNA in the nucleus
Half life of platelets?
10 days
____ increases platelet numbers by…
thrombopoietin
stimulating production of platelets
How is blood clotting regulated? (3 phases)
- vascular phase
- platelet phase
- coagulation phase
Vascular phase
Exposed collagen & tissue factors cause vasoconstriction of the damaged blood vessel. Vasoconstriction minimizes blood loss.
Vascular phase controlled by…
nervous system & muscles (neurogenic & myogenic control)
Vasoconstriction in vascular phase prolonged by…
- Serotonin
- Endothelin-1
- Thromoboxane A2
Platelet phase
- Collagen exposed to blood stream; bind platelets passing by in the blood
- Factors released from trapped platelets attract more platelets
- Platelets aggregate to form plug
What makes von Willebrand factor?
endothelial cells
platelets
What does von Willebrand factor bind to?
collagen
platelets
What are the factors released from platelets?
ADP
PAF (platelet activating factor)
serotonin
thromboxane
When are factors released from platelets?
during platelet phase
What does serotonin and thromboxane cause?
vasoconstriction
What do activated platelets look like?
spiky outer surface
Purpose of activating platelets?
they can adhere to each other better
What do inactivated platelets look like?
disk-like cell fragments
What prevents platelet adhesion/activation during normal situations?
Vasodilators:
NO
Prostacyclin
What releases NO and prostacyclin
endothelium
Prostacyclin is made up of…
Prostaglandin I2, PGI2
Why is aspirin given after mild heart attacks?
Precursor for thromboxane is arachidonic acid.
Enzyme cyclooxygenase cleaves ADA -> PGH2 -> thromboxane.
Aspirin stops CO activity, so thromboxane can’t be made.
Since thromboxane is used to vasoconstrict & aggregate platelets, these don’t happen as easily.
Function of von Willebrand factor?
- link platelet with collagen
- draw platelet into exposed collagen area
- keep VII in circulation longer
What happens during vascular phase?
vasoconstriction
What happens during platelet phase?
Platelets are actively trying to stop bleeding (loose platelet plug)
What happens during coagulation phase?
- Proper blood clot forms via coagulation cascade
- Fibrinogen -> fibrin
Fibrin
Long strand of fibre that reinforces loose platelet plug
One piece of fibrinogen
Inactive form of fibrin
fibrinogen
What do all the factors released from platelets cause?
platelet aggregation
What are the effects of thromboxane?
Constriction
Platelet aggregation
Cyclooxygenase catalyses what reaction?
arachidonic acid -> PGH2
What can PGH2 become?
Prostaglandins
Thromboxane
Prostacyclin
Why is prostacyclin activity not affected when aspirin is taken?
Endothelial cells can still make more CO
What is the sturdiest form of fibrin?
covalent cross-links