The roles of nucleotide signaling and platelets in inflammation

Abstract

Nucleotides and platelets have been associated with a wide range of activities that affect the host inflammatory response. The main goal of this study is to examine the roles of nucleotide signaling and platelets in inflammation. The study analysis entailed conducting a systematic search to identify relevant articles in PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL. The evidence gathered from the identified articles shows the roles of nucleotides and platelets in inflammation. In the extracellular environment, nucleotides act as signaling molecules that can activate nucleotide receptors to promote inflammation. Inflammation is an essential process through which the innate immune system responds to pathogens, microbes, and damage-associated molecular patterns. Moreover, research evidence shows that the mechanisms through which platelets affect inflammatory responses and regulate hemostasis are the same. The roles of nucleotides and platelets in inflammation have been explored in several studies worldwide. Although platelets and nucleotides have unique structures, both of them influence the host response to pathogens and tumors. Analysis of platelets and nucleotides will offer valuable insight for the development of new treatments for infectious and inflammatory diseases.

KEY POINTS

1. 1. Nucleotide triphosphates, such as ATP, have a secret “second life” in addition to being the most important energy-storing molecule inside cells. Outside of cells and in the bloodstream, they are important signaling molecules in the context of inflammation.

2. 2. As platelets have nucleotide receptors on their surfaces, there is important cross-talk between platelet activation and nucleotide signaling in the context of inflammation.

Keywords:

• Nucleotide signaling
• ATP
• platelets
• inflammation
• signaling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.