AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 253, Issue 5 1069-H1073, Copyright © 1987 by American Physiological Society
Fibrin has larger pores when formed in the presence of erythrocytes
M. E. Carr Jr and C. L. Hardin
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.
Due to difficulties caused by the presence of hemoglobin-containing
erythrocytes, the structures of whole blood clots have not been reported. A
perfusion technique described herein allowed the study of plasma and blood
clots. Gel fiber diameter, fiber mass-to-length ratio, and average pore
diameter were calculated from measurements of solvent flow through gels.
When perfused with saline, intact erythrocytes washed from clots of whole
blood. Subsequent perfusion with water resulted in rapid hemolyzing of
remaining erythrocytes and flushing of hemoglobin from the network. The
minimal impact of erythrocytes on fibrin fiber structure was indicated by
similar fiber mass-to-length ratios, 7.4 vs. 9.3 X 10(13) Da/cm, for plasma
and blood clots, respectively. Pore sizes were larger in gels formed in the
presence of erythrocytes, increasing from 3.3 X 10(-4) cm for plasma gels
to 5.1 X 10(-4) for gels containing 20% erythrocytes. The washing of red
cells from clots confirmed calculated clot pore sizes (approximately 5
microns) and was testimony to the size of the spaces within the gel. Egress
of cells and macromolecules to the site of injury during wound healing may
be a function of the size of these spaces. The demonstrated applicability
of this technique should allow study of this question.
