Normal platelet function

Abstract

Platelets play an important role in the vessel. Following their formation from megakaryocytes, platelets exist in circulation for 5-7 days and primarily function as regulators of hemostasis and thrombosis. Following vascular insult or injury, platelets become activated in the blood resulting in adhesion to the exposed extracellular matrix underlying the endothelium, formation of a platelet plug, and finally formation and consolidation of a thrombus consisting of both a core and shell. In pathological conditions, platelets are essential for formation of occlusive thrombus formation and as a result are the primary target for prevention of arterial thrombus formation. In addition to regulation of hemostasis in the vessel, platelets have also been shown to play an important role in innate immunity as well as regulation of tumor growth and extravasations in the vessel. These primary functions of the platelet represent its normal function and versatility in circulation.

Keywords: Bleeding; Cardiovascular disease; Hemostasis; Immunity; Signal transduction; Thrombosis.

Fig. 1

Platelet activation in the vessel occurs in several steps beginning with attachment to the endothelial or sub-endothelial matrix followed by firm adhesion, flattening of the platelets, and intraplatelet signal transduction. The initial platelet plug will form a core at the region of the injury that is fibrin rich, P-selectin positive and densely packed. More loosely packed platelets in the shell of the thrombus will surround the core and are more sensitive to antiplatelet therapies such as COX-1 and P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibition