Platelet adhesion

This is understood to mean the adhesion of the thrombocytes to vascular wall structures.

Physiologically, thrombocytes do not adhere to the vessel wall. Adhesion only occurs when the endothelial cell releases platelet-activating substances or when these substances reach the endothelial surface from subendothelial layers of the vessel wall (e.g. after injuries) and become active there.

Adhesion proteins mediate the adhesion of thrombocytes to subendothelial structures. These interact with specific membrane receptors (mainly integrins), which are localized on blood and endothelial cells.

Important proteins that play a role in platelet adhesion are:

• v.Willebrand factor (vWF)
• Fibrinogen
• Fibronectin
• Vitronectin

with their respective receptors.