Abstract
While traditionally recognized for their roles in hemostatic pathways, emerging evidence demonstrates that platelets have previously unrecognized, dynamic roles that span the immune continuum. These newly recognized platelet functions, including the secretion of immune mediators, interactions with endothelial cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, toll-like receptor (TLR) mediated responses, and induction of neutrophil extracellular trap formation, bridge thrombotic and inflammatory pathways and contribute to host defense mechanisms against invading pathogens. In this focused review, we highlight several of these emerging aspects of platelet biology and their implications in clinical infectious syndromes.
Highlights
Platelets are small anucleate cells highly specialized for hemostasis and vascular wall repair
These newly recognized platelet activities include the release of pleiotropic immune mediators, heterotypic interactions with endothelial cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, toll-like receptor (TLR) mediated responses, and induction of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation
Platelets isolated from dengue patients have evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction with activation of apoptosis pathways, mediated through DC-SIGN [11]. These findings suggest that platelet dysfunction may contribute to the thrombocytopenia and associated hemorrhagic complications of dengue infection
Summary
Platelets are small anucleate cells highly specialized for hemostasis and vascular wall repair. Emerging data demonstrate that in addition to their traditional hemostatic functions, platelets are versatile effector cells with a repertoire of functions that span the immune continuum. These newly recognized and wellestablished platelet functions bridge thrombotic and inflammatory pathways and contribute to many systemic inflammatory and immune processes and diseases [1,2,3]. The inflammatory and immune specializations of platelets are likely evolutionarily driven adaptations that augment host defenses against invading pathogens These newly recognized platelet activities include the release of pleiotropic immune mediators, heterotypic interactions with endothelial cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, toll-like receptor (TLR) mediated responses, and induction of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. By recognizing endogenous ligands as well as microbial pathogen-associated molecular pattern motifs, platelet TLRs provide pathways by which human platelets can response to danger www.frontiersin.org
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