Untensed fibronectin fibers: a novel hallmark of microthrombi

These findings underscore FnBPA5's unique capacity to discriminate not merely the presence of an abundant ECM molecule within a thrombus, but its distinct physical conformation. FnBPA5 enables the selective detection of microthrombi in coronary arteries by targeting untensed fibronectin fibers, a novel mechanical biomarker of microthrombi. Targeting a protein's physical state with high specificity makes FnBPA5 a promising tool for advanced microthrombi detection and for mechano-therapeutic strategies involving the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.