Textured biomaterials as a model for studying formation of focal contacts and rearrangement of the contractile cytoskeleton in platelets.

Fibres of textured biomaterials (BM) enable platelets to adhere with formation of focal contacts. The contact structure and the reaction of the contact associated contractile cytoskeleton were studied using fibres of different flexibility/mobility: butyl-S-Sepharose (S), Polysulfone (PS) and Polyurethane (PU). Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical investigations were carried out to obtain information on the influence of tension on (1) the structure of the focal contacts; (2) the constricting cytoskeleton known to retract adherent collagen or fibrin fibres and (3) the cable-like bundles of actomyosin as observed in the clot.