Semin Thromb Hemost 2004; 30(5): 591-600
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-835679
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Clinical and Functional Consequences of Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein Polymorphisms

Donald L. Yee 1 , Paul F. Bray2
  • 1Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
  • 2Professor, Department of Medicine, Thrombosis Research Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Publication History

Publication Date:
21 October 2004 (online)

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The last several years have seen an abundance of studies of genetic risk factors for vascular disease, and platelet glycoprotein (GP) polymorphisms have been a primary focus of this area of research. This article reviews GP receptor polymorphisms, particularly those on GPIa-IIa (integrin α2β1), GPIb-IX-V, GPIIb-IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3), and GPVI, and summarizes clinical and functional studies that have attempted to clarify their roles in human disease. Our focus is on recent work relevant to thrombotic and hemostatic processes and advances in pharmacogenetics. We consider issues affecting our ability to derive firm conclusions from these studies, and discuss future directions in this rapidly evolving area.