Thromb Haemost 2010; 103(01): 103-113
DOI: 10.1160/TH09-05-0330
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

Alteration of fibrin clot properties by ultrafine particulate matter

Sofian Metassan
1   Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Leeds Institute for Health, Genetics and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK
2   Section on Mechanisms of Thrombosis, Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute for Health, Genetics and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK
,
Alexander J. Charlton
1   Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Leeds Institute for Health, Genetics and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK
2   Section on Mechanisms of Thrombosis, Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute for Health, Genetics and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK
,
Michael N. Routledge
1   Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Leeds Institute for Health, Genetics and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK
,
D. Julian A. Scott
2   Section on Mechanisms of Thrombosis, Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute for Health, Genetics and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK
,
Robert A. S. Ariëns
2   Section on Mechanisms of Thrombosis, Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute for Health, Genetics and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 27 May 2009

Accepted after major revision: 25 August 2009

Publication Date:
22 November 2017 (online)

Summary

Both long- and short-term (1–2 hours) exposure to particulate matter (PM) are associated with morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. One of the underlying mechanisms may be due to changes to blood coagulability upon exposure to PM. We investigated this possibility by measuring differences in blood clots formed in the presence of particulate matter in vitro. Total (T)PM increased the permeation of clots in a dose-dependant manner. Filtered (F)PM (17 μg/ml) also produced a significant increase in permeation. Turbidity measured as maximum optical density (ODmax) was increased in a dose-dependant manner with increasing concentration of TPM and FPM. Turbidity measurements also showed a significantly faster rate of polymerisation in the presence of 68 μg/ml FPM. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) showed a decrease in fibre density without a significant increase in fibre diameter. However, LSCM showed increased clot heterogeneity due to fibre clustering, creating areas of denser fibrin network surrounded by looser network. The presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger mannitol inhibited the effects on fibre clustering. Our data show that TPM and FPM cause alterations in fibrin clot structure, likely through the formation of ROS. These changes in fibrin clot structure may play a role in thromboembolic events upon PM exposure.

 
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