Factors Associated with Platelet Activation-Recent Pharmaceutical Approaches

Abstract

Platelets are at the forefront of human health and disease following the advances in their research presented in past decades. Platelet activation, their most crucial function, although beneficial in the case of vascular injury, may represent the initial step for thrombotic complications characterizing various pathologic states, primarily atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we initially summarize the structural and functional characteristics of platelets. Next, we focus on the process of platelet activation and its associated factors, indicating the potential molecular mechanisms involving inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and miRs. Finally, an overview of the available antiplatelet agents is being portrayed, together with agents possessing off-set platelet-inhibitory actions, while an extensive presentation of drugs under investigation is being given.

Keywords: P2Y12; endothelial dysfunction; inflammation; miR; platelet activation.

Figure 1

Mechanisms of platelet activation. AC: adenylyl cyclase, ADP: adenosine diphosphate, ANO6: anoctamin 6, CLEC2: C-type lectin-like receptor 2, COX1: cyclooxygenase 1, DAG: 1,2-diacyl-glycerol, EC: endothelial cell, GP: glycoprotein, LAT: linker for activation of T cells, PAR: protease activater receptor, PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinases, PLA₂: phospholipase A₂, PLC: phospholipase, PLT: platelet, PS: phosphatidylserine, ROCK: Rho-associated protein kinase, SFK: SRC-family kinase, SGR: small G-protein regulator, SLP-76: lymphocyte cytosolic protein 2, TP: thromboxane receptor, TXA₂: thromboxane, TXAS: thromboxane-A synthase, VWF: von Willebrand factor.