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Semin Thromb Hemost 2024; 50(05): 794-803
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777305
Historical Paper

Platelets: Physiology and Biochemistry[*]

Kerstin Jurk
1   Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Experimental and Clinical Haemostasis, University-Hospital Munster, Munster, Germany
,
Beate E. Kehrel
1   Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Experimental and Clinical Haemostasis, University-Hospital Munster, Munster, Germany
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Abstract

This article represents a republication of an article originally published in STH in 2005. This republication is to help celebrate 50 years of publishing for STH. The original abstract follows.

Platelets are specialized blood cells that play central roles in physiologic and pathologic processes of hemostasis, inflammation, tumor metastasis, wound healing, and host defense. Activation of platelets is crucial for platelet function that includes a complex interplay of adhesion and signaling molecules. This article gives an overview of the activation processes involved in primary and secondary hemostasis, for example, platelet adhesion, platelet secretion, platelet aggregation, microvesicle formation, and clot retraction/stabilization. In addition, activated platelets are predominantly involved in cross-talk to other blood and vascular cells. Stimulated “sticky” platelets enable recruitment of leukocytes at sites of vascular injury under high shear conditions. Platelet-derived microparticles as well as soluble adhesion molecules, sP-selectin and sCD40L, shed from the surface of activated platelets, are capable of activating, in turn, leukocytes and endothelial cells. This article focuses further on the new view of receptor-mediated thrombin generation of human platelets, necessary for the formation of a stable platelet–fibrin clot during secondary hemostasis. Finally, special emphasis is placed on important stimulatory and inhibitory signaling pathways that modulate platelet function.

Keywords

platelet activation - platelet adhesion - platelet aggregation - procoagulant activity - thrombin generation

* This article is a republished version of: Jurk K, Kehrel BE. Platelets: physiology and biochemistry. Semin Thromb Hemost 2005;31(04):381–392.




Publication History

Article published online:
12 December 2023

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