Platelet–leukocyte interactions in the pathogenesis of viral infections

Abstract

Evolving evidence demonstrates that platelets have major roles in viral syndromes through previously unrecognized viral sensing and effector functions. Activated platelets and increased platelet-leukocyte aggregates are observed in clinical and experimental viral infections. The mechanisms and outcomes of platelet–leukocyte interactions depend on the interacting leukocyte as well as on the pathogen and pathological conditions. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms involved in platelet interactions with leukocytes and its functions during viral infections. We focus on the contributions of human platelet–leukocyte interactions to pathophysiological and protective responses during viral infections of major global health relevance, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS), influenza pneumonia, and COVID-19.

Keywords:

• platelets
• platelet-leukocyte aggregates
• COVID-19
• Dengue
• HIV
• Influenza

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Inova/FIOCRUZ, Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the funding support.

Authorship

ACQ-T, LBM, MBMP, SVR, and EDH wrote the manuscript. EDH, PTB, and FAB designed the review article, edited and revised the manuscript. All authors discussed the concepts.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the CNPq; Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior; Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; Inova, FIOCRUZ.