Denatured Albumin Gains a Function of Regulating Platelet Activity

in platelets and transmits platelet contractile forces, regulating platelet activation, adhesion and aggregation as effectively as fibrinogen (the clotting factor I). 0.1% ethanol or 10 µM hydrogen peroxide, physiologically attainable in blood through alcohol intake or disease-elevated oxidative stress, are sufficient to denature albumin into a functional platelet ligand. These findings revealed albumin as a previously unrecognized but important regulator of platelet functions, with broad implications for the thrombotic risk in the context of physiological conditions that induce albumin denaturation.