Use of electron microscopy to study platelets and thrombi

Electron microscopy has been a valuable tool for the study of platelet biology and thrombosis for more than 70 years. Early studies using conventional transmission and scanning electron microscopy (EM) provided a foundation for our initial understanding of platelet structure and how it changes upon...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maurizio Tomaiuolo, Rustem I. Litvinov, John W. Weisel, Timothy J. Stalker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-07-01
Series:Platelets
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09537104.2020.1763939
Description
Summary:Electron microscopy has been a valuable tool for the study of platelet biology and thrombosis for more than 70 years. Early studies using conventional transmission and scanning electron microscopy (EM) provided a foundation for our initial understanding of platelet structure and how it changes upon platelet activation. EM approaches have since been utilized to study platelets and thrombi in the context of basic, translational and clinical research, and they are instrumental in the diagnosis of multiple platelet function disorders. In this brief review, we provide a sampling of the many contributions EM based studies have made to the field, including both historical highlights and contemporary applications. We will also discuss exciting new imaging modalities based on EM and their utility for the study of platelets, hemostasis and thrombosis into the future.
ISSN:0953-7104
1369-1635