Summary
Blood platelets have long been recognised to bring about primary haemostasis with
deficiencies in platelet production and function manifesting in bleeding while upregulated
function favourises arterial thrombosis. Yet increasing evidence indicates that platelets
fulfil a much wider role in health and disease. First, they store and release a wide
range of biologically active substances including the panoply of growth factors, chemokines
and cytokines released from α-granules. Membrane budding gives rise to microparticles (MPs), another active participant
within the blood stream. Platelets are essential for the innate immune response and
combat infection (viruses, bacteria, micro-organisms). They help maintain and modulate
inflammation and are a major source of pro-inflammatory molecules (e.g. P-selectin,
tissue factor, CD40L, metalloproteinases). As well as promoting coagulation, they
are active in fibrinolysis; wound healing, angiogenesis and bone formation as well
as in maternal tissue and foetal vascular remodelling. Activated platelets and MPs
intervene in the propagation of major diseases. They are major players in atherosclerosis
and related diseases, pathologies of the central nervous system (Alzheimers disease,
multiple sclerosis), cancer and tumour growth. They participate in other tissue-related
acquired pathologies such as skin diseases and allergy, rheumatoid arthritis, liver
disease; while, paradoxically, autologous platelet-rich plasma and platelet releasate
are being used as an aid to promote tissue repair and cellular growth. The above mentioned
roles of platelets are now discussed.
Keywords
Platelets - immunity - inflammation - wound healing - angiogenesis - acquired diseases
with platelet involvement