S-Nitrosoglutathione Acts as a Small Molecule Modulator of Human Fibrin Clot Architecture
Figure 5
Crossing fibers are more sensitive than fiber density to GSNO.
Images of native human fibrin clots were acquired using multiphoton microscopy and analyzed using custom designed computer software, as described in methods. Panels A,B,E,F show surface plots of fibrin fibers observed in the corresponding multiphoton image and contour figure, panels C,D respectively. Arrows connect the regions of interest. When two fibers cross at a point in space, there is a >40+/−15% increase in fluorescence intensity at the point of contact, that is proportional to fiber intensity. Panel A shows a trifunctional junction (F1 = F2+F3), panel B shows one fiber (F2) passing beneath another (F1), panel E shows two fibers (F1 and F2) crossing and panel F shows six fiber segments (or possibly three fibers) crossing at a point. As GSNO concentration increased, crossing fibers per area decreased, panel G. The ratio of fiber density to crossing fibers increased with increasing GSNO concentration, indicating the decrease in crossing fibers was greater than the decrease in fiber density, panel H. *p<0.05, compared to control. Area is 59×59 um2. Colour bars are image intensity. Scale bars are 700 nm.