Platelets and inflammation

Besides their functions in the haemostatic process and in thrombus formation after an endothelial injury, blood platelets also take part in the processes of inflammation and tissue repair that follows. For this purpose, they closely collaborate with all types of leukocytes. Activated platelets secre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anatomy and Embryology 1997-07, Vol.196 (1), p.1-11
Main Author: Klinger, M H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Blood clots
Blood platelets
Blood Platelets - immunology
Blood Platelets - metabolism
Blood Platelets - ultrastructure
Humans
Hypersensitivity - immunology
Immunohistochemistry
Infection - immunology
Inflammation - immunology
Inflammation Mediators - immunology
Leukocytes
Leukocytes - metabolism
Organelles - ultrastructure
P-Selectin - metabolism
Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex - metabolism
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Summary:Besides their functions in the haemostatic process and in thrombus formation after an endothelial injury, blood platelets also take part in the processes of inflammation and tissue repair that follows. For this purpose, they closely collaborate with all types of leukocytes. Activated platelets secret chemotactic substances, they facilitate the binding of leukocytes to the endothelium and their subsequent extravasation, and they may influence the inflammatory responses of leukocytes in both stimulating and inhibiting ways. However, platelets themselves also contain an array of potent proinflammatory substances, and therefore they are regarded as mediator and effector cells in inflammation. Their capability to interact with bacteria, parasites, and other foreign materials is possibly a phylogenetic vestige and may explain the existence of IgE-dependent killing mechanisms of platelets. On the other hand, the connection between IgE and platelets, besides the platelet-induced eosinophil infiltration, offers a functional basis for the involvement of platelets in allergic processes, particular in the skin and the airways.
ISSN:0340-2061
1863-2653
1432-0568
0340-2061
DOI:10.1007/s004290050075