A method has been developed for measuring the adhesion of platelets to purified collagen fibers obtained from bovine tendon. This method differs from others in that: (a) platelet adhesion is measured in the absence of platelet aggregation; (b) platelet-rich plasma collected in ACD (acid citrate dextrose) or EDTA, or washed platelets can be employed; (c) adherent platelets are enumerated directly; (d) erythrocytes and leukocytes do not adhere. Washed platelets suspended in human Ringer solution exhibit negligible adhesion (at the platelet concentrations employed) in contrast to washed platelets suspended in plasma. Addition of purified human fibrinogen (95% clottable, 2-4 mg/ml) to human Ringer solution completely restores the ability of washed platelets to adhere to collagen fibers. Albumin (fatty acid free, 50 mg/ml) is also capable of restoring adhesion. Albumin and seven other proteins at concentrations of 5-10 mg/ml, with varying molecular weights, isoelectric points, and frictional coefficients are incapable of supporting the adhesion of washed platelets. The proteins tested were human globulin, hexokinase, hemoglobin, cytochrome-C, insulin, thyroglobulin, and muramidase. Platelet adhesion is proportional to both platelet concentration and fibrinogen concentration, but is independent of temperature or glycogen stores. Modification of fibrinogen by acylation of amino groups or removal of sialic acid has no effect on its ability to support platelet adhesion. Degradation of fibrinogen with purified plasmin results in decreased support of platelet adhesion. This accompanied formation of early breakdown products with clottability ranging from 84-0%. Formation of fibrinogen degradation products was monitored by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the corresponding fibrins after reduction of disulfide bonds (a method capable of distinguishing alpha-, beta- and gamma-chains). Decreased support of platelet adhesion is associated with the disappearance of intact alpha- chains and early modification of the beta-chains. Purified proteinpolysaccharide macromolecules obtained from bovine nasal and humeral cartilage, and from nucleosus pulposus are as effective as fibrinogen on a weight basis and ten to thirty times more effective on a molar basis in supporting platelet adhesion. The purified mucopolysaccharide side chains: chondroitin-4-sulfate, chondroitin-6-sulfate, and keratan-sulfate are incapable of supporting platelet adhesion.
