Antibodies recognizing complexes of the chemokine platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4) and polyanions (P) opsonize PF4-coated bacteria hereby mediating bacterial host defense. A subset of these antibodies may activate platelets after binding to PF4/heparin complexes, causing the prothrombotic adverse drug reaction heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In autoimmune-HIT, anti-PF4/P-antibodies activate platelets in the absence of heparin. Here we show that antibodies with binding forces of approximately 60–100 pN activate platelets in the presence of polyanions, while a subset of antibodies from autoimmune-HIT patients with binding forces ≥100 pN binds to PF4 alone in the absence of polyanions. These antibodies with high binding forces cluster PF4-molecules forming antigenic complexes which allow binding of polyanion-dependent anti-PF4/P-antibodies. The resulting immunocomplexes induce massive platelet activation in the absence of heparin. Antibody-mediated changes in endogenous proteins that trigger binding of otherwise non-pathogenic (or cofactor-dependent) antibodies may also be relevant in other antibody-mediated autoimmune disorders.

Heparin is the most important antithrombotic drug in hospitals. It binds to the endogenous tetrameric protein platelet factor 4 (PF4) forming PF4/heparin complexes which may cause a severe immune-mediated adverse drug reaction, so-called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Although new heparin drugs have been synthesized to reduce such a risk, detailed bond dynamics of the PF4/heparin complexes have not been clearly understood. In this study, single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) is utilized to characterize the interaction of PF4 with heparins of defined length (5-, 6-, 8-, 12-, and 16-mers). Analysis of the force–distance curves shows that PF4/heparin binding strength rises with increasing heparin length. In addition, two binding pathways in the PF4/short heparins (≤8-mers) and three binding pathways in the PF4/long heparins (≥8-mers) are identified. We provide a model for the PF4/heparin complexes in which short heparins bind to one PF4 tetramer, while long heparins bind to two PF4 tetramers. We propose that the interaction between long heparins and PF4s is not only due to charge differences as generally assumed, but also due to hydrophobic interaction between two PF4s which are brought close to each other by long heparin. This complicated interaction induces PF4/heparin complexes more stable than other ligand–receptor interactions. Our results also reveal that the boundary between antigenic and non-antigenic heparins is between 8- and 12-mers. These observations are particularly important to understand processes in which PF4–heparin interactions are involved and to develop new heparin-derived drugs.

Little is known about mechanics underlying the interaction among platelets during activation and aggregation. Although the strength of a blood thrombus has likely major biological importance, no previous study has measured directly the adhesion forces of single platelet-platelet interaction at different activation states. Here, we filled this void first, by minimizing surface mediated platelet-activation and second, by generating a strong adhesion force between a single platelet and an AFM cantilever, preventing early platelet detachment. We applied our setup to measure rupture forces between two platelets using different platelet activation states and blockade of platelet receptors. The rupture force was found to increase proportionally to the degree of platelet activation, but reduced with blockade of specific platelet receptors. Quantification of single platelet-platelet interaction provides major perspectives for testing and improving biocompatibility of new materials; quantifying the effect of drugs on platelet function; and assessing the mechanical characteristics of acquired/inherited platelet defects.

In this work we show that the forced dynamic dewetting of surfactant solutions depends sensitively on the surfactant concentration. To measure this effect, a hydrophobic rotating cylinder was horizontally half immersed in aqueous surfactant solutions. Dynamic contact angles were measured optically by extrapolating the contour of the meniscus to the contact line. Anionic (sodium 1-decanesulfonate, S-1DeS), cationic (cetyl trimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) and nonionic surfactants (C₄E₁, C₈E₃ and C₁₂E₅) with critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) spanning four orders of magnitude were used. The receding contact angle in water decreased with increasing velocity. This decrease was strongly enhanced when adding surfactant, even at surfactant concentrations of 10% of the critical micelle concentration. Plots of the receding contact angle-versus-velocity almost superimpose when being plotted at the same relative concentration (concentration/CMC). Thus the rescaled concentration is the dominating property for dynamic dewetting. The charge of the surfactants did not play a role, thus excluding electrostatic effects. The change in contact angle can be interpreted by local surface tension gradients, i.e. Marangoni stresses, close to the three-phase contact line. The decrease of dynamic contact angles with velocity follows two regimes. Despite the existence of Marangoni stresses close to the contact line, for a dewetting velocity above 1–10 mm s⁻¹ the hydrodynamic theory is able to describe the experimental results for all surfactant concentrations. At slower velocities an additional steep decrease of the contact angle with velocity was observed. Particle tracking velocimetry showed that the flow profiles do not differ with and without surfactant on a scales >100 μm.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) have a great potential in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications as they provide contrast in magnetic resonance imaging techniques and allow magnetic hyperthermia and drug delivery. Though various types of SPION are commercially available, efforts to improve the quality of SPION are highly in demand. Here, we describe a strategy for optimization of SPION synthesis under microfluidics using the coprecipitation approach. Synthesis parameters such as temperature, pH, iron salt concentration, and coating materials were investigated in continuous and segmented flows. Continuous flow allowed synthesizing particles of a smaller size and higher stability than segmented flow, while both conditions improved the quality of particles compared to batch synthesis. The most stable particles were obtained at a synthesis condition of 6.5 M NH₄OH base, iron salt (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) concentration ratio of 4.3/8.6, carboxymethyl dextran coating of 20 mg/mL, and temperature of 70 °C. The synthesized SPION exhibited a good efficiency in labeling of human platelets and did not impair cells. Our study under flow conditions provides an optimal protocol for the synthesis of better and biocompatible SPION that contributes to the development of nanoparticles for medical applications.