Dynamic Debonding Force Measurements of Ligand (RGD)-Platelet Receptor (GP Ilb/IIIa) System under Physiological Conditions

Abstract ABSTRACT Binding formation between a peptide sequence (GSSSGRGDSPA) which contains the cell adhesion sequence –RGD-found in fibrinogen, vWF, fibrinonectin, and vitronectin and human platelet intergrin GP Ilb/IIIa plays an important role in thrombus formation. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we visualized the detailed structures of membrane and submembrane of the cell, and measured the interaction forces between a peptide modified cantilever probe tip and platelet surface from pN to nN levels under physiological buffer. Direct measurements of the debonding force for the RGD ligand - GP Ilb/IIIa system are presented. To eliminate the possible measurement of the hgand-receptor pair, or of the ligand and AFM tip, following desorption of the ligand; the cantilever tip surface was modified with covalent coupling chemistry rather than physical absorption. Our results showed that the single molecular rupturing force was 93.3 ± 10.41 pN with considerable chain extension in the receptor. The rupturing forces showed a logarithmic dependence of the rate of loading