S-Nitrosoglutathione Acts as a Small Molecule Modulator of Human Fibrin Clot Architecture
Figure 4
GSNO reduces fibrin branchpoint density, but does not alter the fiber density/branchpoint ratio.
Images of human fibrin clots in their native state were acquired using multiphoton microscopy and analyzed using custom designed computer software, as described in methods. Panels A,B,C show a multiphoton image with three branch points (B1,B2,B3) and their corresponding contour map and surface plots, respectively. Branch points are readily identifiable in surface plots, where three fibers intersect at the branch junction and the width of one fiber is approximately equal to the sum of the other fibers (F1 = F2+F3). As GSNO concentration increased, branch junctions per area decreased, panel D. However, the ratio of fiber density to branch point density was insensitive to GSNO concentration, panel E. *p<0.05, compared to control. Area is 59×59 um2. Colour bars are image intensity. Scale bar is 4.25 um.