Red blood cells mediate the onset of thrombosis in the ferric chloride murine model.

Application of ferric chloride (FeCl(3)) to exposed blood vessels is widely used to initiate thrombosis in laboratory mice. Because the mechanisms by which FeCl(3) induces endothelial injury and subsequent thrombus formation are little understood, we used scanning electron and brightfield intravital microscopy to visualize endothelial damage and thrombus formation occurring in situ. Contrary to generally accepted belief, FeCl(3) does not result in appreciable subendothelial exposure within the time frame of thrombosis.