When tissue is first wounded, blood comes in contact with collagen, triggering blood platelets to begin secreting inflammatory factors.[15] Platelets also express sticky glycoproteins on their cell membranes that allow them to aggregate, forming a mass.[7]
Fibrin and fibronectin cross-link together and form a plug that traps proteins and particles and prevents further blood loss.[16] This fibrin-fibronectin plug is also the main structural support for the wound until collagen is deposited.[7]