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Review
. 2019 Feb 26;3(4):692-703.
doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018024372.

Ontogeny of platelet function

Andreas Margraf  1   2 , Claudia Nussbaum  1   3 , Markus Sperandio  1
Affiliations
Review

Ontogeny of platelet function

Andreas Margraf et al. Blood Adv. .

Abstract

Although the hemostatic potential of adult platelets has been investigated extensively, regulation of platelet function during fetal life is less clear. Recent studies have provided increasing evidence for a developmental control of platelet function during fetal ontogeny. Fetal platelets feature distinct differences in reactive properties compared with adults. These differences very likely reflect a modified hemostatic and homeostatic environment in which platelet hyporeactivity contributes to prevent pathological clot formation on the one hand but still ensures sufficient hemostasis on the other hand. In this review, recent findings on the ontogeny of platelet function and reactivity are summarized, and implications for clinical practice are critically discussed. This includes current platelet-transfusion practice and its potential risk in premature infants and neonates.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest disclosure: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Important platelet expression and activation responses in the neonate.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Ontogenetic regulation of platelet function. Experimental data suggest a balanced environment in which platelet function is tightly regulated to achieve an age-dependent modulation of platelet responses.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Age-mismatch transfusion of platelet concentrates and possible adverse events. Currently, platelet concentrates are collected from adult donors. Adult platelets feature a distinct phenotype that is different from the physiologic properties of neonatal platelets. Possible harmful effects have to be considered and investigated in more detail. TRALI, transfusion-related acute lung injury; ulVWF, unusually large VWF.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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