Hemodynamic simulation and modeling of three-dimensional glomeruli at anatomical scale.

The glomerulus is a critical filtration unit in the kidney, yet its complex three-dimensional architecture has long hindered a comprehensive understanding of its function and regulation. Here, we present an integrated framework that combines imaging based three-dimensional modeling, computational fluid dynamics simulations, and reconstruction to elucidate the structural and hemodynamic complexity of the glomerulus. Our analyses reveal that the inherent asymmetry between afferent and efferent arterioles is critical for establishing a precise pressure-flow relationship and regulating hemodynamics.

Material strengths of shear-induced platelet aggregation clots and coagulation clots.

Arterial occlusion by thrombosis is the immediate cause of some strokes, heart attacks, and peripheral artery disease. Most prior studies assume that coagulation creates the thrombus. However, a contradiction arises as whole blood (WB) clots from coagulation are too weak to stop arterial blood pressures (> 150 mmHg).

Structure of shear-induced platelet aggregated clot formed in an in vitro arterial thrombosis model.

The structure of occlusive arterial thrombi is described herein. Macroscopic thrombi were made from whole blood in a collagen-coated, large-scale stenosis model with high shear flow similar to an atherosclerotic artery. The millimeter-sized thrombi were harvested for histology and scanning electron microscopy.

Platelet α-granules are required for occlusive high-shear-rate thrombosis.

von Willebrand factor (VWF) is essential for the induction of arterial thrombosis. In this study, we investigated the critical role of platelet VWF in occlusive thrombosis formation at high shear in mice that do not express platelet VWF (Nbeal2-/-). Using in silico modeling, in vitro high-shear microfluidics, and an in vivo Folts model of arterial thrombosis we reproduced the platelet dynamics that occur under pathological flow in a stenosed vessel.