Biomedical subjects

C A Siedlecki

Publications and source records attributed to C A Siedlecki.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Intermolecular force mapping of platelet surfaces on collagen substrata.

The interactions between plasma proteins and platelets are responsible for surface adsorption and activation of platelets, which leads to initiation of platelet-mediated thrombotic events at biomaterial surfaces. We are seeking to gain a fundamental understanding of these interactions. The atomic force microscope (AFM) has been used to create force maps across platelets adsorbed onto collagen substrata using peptide-modified probes. Combining the imaging and force-measuring capabilities of AFM, the force-mapping mode has been used to measure interactions of peptide-modified AFM probes with the surface. Observed differences in the force of adhesion are clearly evident in the platelet samples fixed in air, proving the ability of the AFM system to map adhesion. When this system is changed to a fluid environment we are no longer able to see such evident adhesion because of the membrane flexibility; instead the deformability of the surface is mapped. The specific interaction between the peptide sequence RGD and platelets was measured in a non-mapping mode of the AFM. Although this does not provide a force map, we can see significant differences between the forces measured on the substrate and those measured with a control hexapeptide.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1999

Platelet-derived microparticles on synthetic surfaces observed by atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.

Platelet activation on a thrombogenic surface includes the release of membrane-derived microparticles that provide catalytic sites for blood coagulation factors. Here, we describe a quantitative investigation on the production and dimensions of platelet-derived microparticles observed on glass and polyethylene under aqueous conditions, using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and complementary fluorescence microscopy. The results show that contact-activated platelet microparticles are not evenly distributed over a thrombogenic surface, but in clusters in close proximity to adherent platelets. The microparticles are localized near the platelet periphery, and in some cases appear to emanate from platelet pseudopodia, suggesting that formation may result from vesiculation of the pseudopodia. The microparticles measured 125 +/- 21 nm (n = 73) in the x-y dimensions and 5.2 +/- 3.6 nm in height. The results compared closely with 125 +/- 22 nm width and 4.1 +/- 1.6 nm height obtained for control preparations of thrombin activated microparticles, that were filtered and deposited on glass. Large differences between the measured widths and heights of adsorbed microparticles suggest that platelet microparticles may undergo spreading after attachment to a surface. The adsorbed microparticles expressed platelet membrane receptor GPIIb/IIIa, and many expressed the platelet activation marker P-selectin as determined by fluorescence microscopy. The high number distribution of procoagulant microparticles per unit area of surface compared with platelets suggests that platelet-derived microparticles provide a mechanistic route for amplifying thrombus formation on a thrombogenic surface.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed1998

Atomic force microscopy for characterization of the biomaterial interface.

The molecular processes that occur at the interface of an implanted biomaterial determines the host response, including phenomena such as protein adsorption, conformational changes, and subsequent interactions with cellular components. Until recently, such processes could not be observed directly. Over the past decade, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided mechanistic insights into the molecular level interactions that occur at the biomaterial interface. Several unique operational modes have been developed which utilize intermittent contact with the sample and decrease applied shear forces. These dynamic modes also can be used to study the role of different structural components on biomaterial micromechanical properties. Force detection techniques allow molecular level studies of individual receptor-ligand binding events, and force mapping for determining structure/function relationships. Advancements in tip manufacturing, image processing techniques, the use of model surfaces and labeling all have contributed to the advancement of the AFM as a state-of-the-art research instrument. In this report, we examine the applicability of the AFM to the study of biomaterials and cell/molecular interactions.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1997

Three dimensional structure of human fibrinogen under aqueous conditions visualized by atomic force microscopy.

Fibrinogen plays a central role in surface-induced thrombosis. However, the interactions of fibrinogen with different substrata remain poorly understood because of the difficulties involved in imaging globular proteins under aqueous conditions. We present detailed three dimensional molecular scale images of fibrinogen molecules on a hydrophobic surface under aqueous conditions obtained by atomic force microscopy. Hydrated fibrinogen monomers are visualized as overlapping ellipsoids; dimers and trimers have linear conformations predominantly, and increased affinity for the hydrophobic surface compared with monomeric fibrinogen. The results demonstrate the importance of hydration on protein structure and properties that affect surface-dependent interactions.

Fibrinogen↗

PubMed1996

Shear-dependent changes in the three-dimensional structure of human von Willebrand factor.

The three-dimensional tertiary structure of human von Willebrand Factor (vWF) on a hydrophobic surface under aqueous conditions and different shear stress regimes was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). vWF was imaged by AFM at molecular level resolution under negligible shear stress, under a local applied shear force (7.4 to 19 nN) using the AFM probe in contact mode scanning, and after subjecting vWF to a range of shear stress (0 to 42.4 dyn/cm2) using a rotating disk system. The results demonstrate that vWF undergoes a shear stress-induced conformational transition from a globular state to an extended chain conformation with exposure of intra-molecular globular domains at a critical shear stress of 35 +/- 3.5 dyn/cm2. The globular vWF conformation (149 nm by 77 nm and height 3.8 nm) is representative of native vWF after simple diffusion to the hydrophobic surface, followed by adhesion and some spreading. In a shear stress field above the critical value, protein unfolding occurs and vWF is observed in extended chain conformations oriented in the direction of the shear stress field with molecular lengths ranging from 146 to 774 nm and 3.4 nm mean height. The shear stress-induced structural changes to vWF suggest a close conformation-function relationship in vWF properties for thrombogenesis in regions of high shear stress.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed1994

Interactions of human von Willebrand factor with a hydrophobic self-assembled monolayer studied by atomic force microscopy.

Human von Willebrand Factor (vWF) was studied by atomic force microscopy under physiologic buffer on a hydrophobic octadecyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayer. The self-assembled monolayer deposited on glass was sufficiently smooth (root mean square roughness = 0.25 +/- 0.12 nm) to permit identification of adsorbed vWF. Adhesion of the protein to the hydrophobic substrate was sufficient to allow repeated scanning by the atomic force microscope probe, and images of vWF on a submolecular scale were obtained. The frictional force between the surface and the protein was sufficient to withstand an applied lateral force of 19 nN. This result shows that vWF experiences strong interaction with a hydrophobic surface in aqueous media. Statistical analysis of adsorbed vWF shows that the protein is composed of large globular domains with elliptical cross sections of average dimensions 56 +/- 24 nm (major axis) 26 +/- 19 nm (minor axis), and 2.8 +/- 1.0 nm (height). Further analysis of the major axis dimension shows that the molecular chain of vWF contains two statistically different populations of domain size. However, no sequence order of the different domains within the individual molecule was found. On the basis of our analysis of the globular domains, we present a model describing the three-dimensional structure of vWF protomer adsorbed on a hydrophobic surface in a physiologic solution.

Adsorption↗