Differential dynamics of early stages of platelet adhesion and spreading on collagen IV- and fibrinogen-coated surfaces

Background: Upon wound formation, platelets adhere to the neighboring extracellular matrix and spread on it, a process which is critical for physiological wound healing. Multiple external factors, such as the molecular composition of the environment and its mechanical properties, play a key role in this process and direct its speed and outcome. Methods: We combined live cell imaging, quantitative interference reflection microscopy and cryo-electron tomography to characterize, at a single platelet level, the differential spatiotemporal dynamics of the adhesion process to fibrinogen- and collagen IV-functionalized surfaces. Results: Initially, platelets sense both substrates by transient rapid extensions of filopodia. On collagen IV, a short-term phase of filopodial extension is followed by lamellipodia-based spreading. This transition is preceded by the extension of a single or couple of microtubules into the platelet’s periphery and their apparent insertion into the core of the filopodia. On fibrinogen surfaces, the filopodia-to-lamellipodia transition was partial and microtubule extension was not observed leading to limited spreading, which could be restored by manganese or thrombin. Conclusions: Based on these results, we propose that interaction with collagen IV stimulate platelets to extend microtubules to peripheral filopodia, which in turn, enhances filopodial-to-lamellipodial transition and overall lamellipodia-based spreading. Fibrinogen, on the other hand, fails to induce these early microtubule extensions, leading to full lamellipodia spreading in only a fraction of the seeded platelets. We further suggest that activation of integrin αIIbβ3 is essential for filopodial-to-lamellipodial transition, based on the capacity of integrin activators to enhance lamellipodia spreading on fibrinogen.