As of today, no practical method for large-scale functional anti-thrombosis
agent screening exists. Based on the phenomenon that platelet activation r
esults in the release of ATP from dense granules, we report the development
and optimization of a 96-well microplate luciferase assay to assess platel
et activation via luminescence detection of the released ATP. In addition,
the assessment of re-calcification-induced clotting of citrated platelet-ri
ch plasma (PRP) is also possible. Collagen, thrombin, U46619, and ADP were
shown to induce platelet activation in a concentration- and time-dependent
manner. The assay is applicable to PRP washed platelets, and whole blood. F
undamentally, this is an ideal protocol for screening large numbers of anti
-thrombotic drugs because of its sensitivity and the low amount of platelet
s required to detect simultaneous platelet activation.