A Computational Approach for Modeling Platelet Adhesion Dynamics on Thrombogenic Surfaces

Abstract: Platelet adhesion and aggregation are essential for primary hemostasis, forming a clot that quickly stops initial bleeding. Despite this critical role, the dynamic interactions of platelet receptors with exposed collagen and von Willebrand factor (vWF) at the injury site and how these interactions influence thrombus formation under varying blood flow conditions are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of platelet adhesion and aggregation on collagen- or vWF-coated surfaces numerically. We combined the stochastic Bell's law with a deterministic elastic force featuring a time-dependent coefficient within the context of a dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) model to simulate thrombosis formation numerically. Our simulation results revealed that the numerically predicted platelet adhesion patterns closely matched experimental observations reported in the literature, demonstrating accurate replication of platelet behavior on collagen- and vWF-coated surfaces. Consequently, our deterministic/stochastic force model in DPD provides valuable insights into platelet adhesion dynamics under different flow conditions. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of platelet dynamics and potential therapeutic targets for managing hemostatic disorders.