Overview of Platelet Physiology: Its Hemostatic and Nonhemostatic Role in Disease Pathogenesis

Figure 6

Diagram illustrating the role of von Willebrand factor (vWf) in platelet adhesion. High flow rates induce conformational changes in vWf allowing interaction of its A3 domain with matrix collagen. This induces a conformational change in the A1 domain, thereby allowing interaction with glycoprotein (GP) platelet receptor Ib-IX-V. This interaction stimulates calcium release, subsequent platelet activation, and subsequent conformational change of the fibrinogen receptor (GPIIb/IIIa), which can interact with fibrinogen and vWf to favor the interaction between platelets (platelet aggregation process). ADP indicates adenosine diphosphate; RGD and Arg-Gly-Asp are amino acid sequences (adapted from Badimon et al., 2009 [30]).