Platelets and vascular integrity

Abstract

Platelets patrol the vasculature and adhere at sites of vascular damage after trauma to limit blood loss. In recent years, however, it has become clear that platelets also contribute to pathophysiologic processes such as thrombosis, atherosclerosis, stroke, sepsis and many more. An exciting new role for them is in non-classical hemostasis to prevent bleeding in the inflamed vasculature. Recent studies suggest that GPVI, CLEC-2, integrin αIIbβ3 (GPIIb/IIIa), and the content of platelet α- and dense granules are important players in this process. This review summarizes the current knowledge about how platelets prevent vascular integrity during inflammation in the skin, lung, and the ischemic brain and their organ-specific role.

Keywords:

• Bleeding
• inflammation
• neutrophils
• platelet
• vascular integrity

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Deya Cherpokova for proofreading the manuscript and Servier for providing Servier Medical Art which were used for creation of figures. This article is dedicated to the newest addition to the Deppermann family: Welcome, Johannes!

Additional information

Funding

The author is supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Fellowship DE 2654/1-1.