Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that platelets, cytoplasmic fragments derived from megakaryocytes, can no longer be considered just as mediators in hemostasis and coagulation processes, but as key modulators of immunity. Platelets have received increasing attention as the emergence of new methodologies has allowed the characterization of their components and functions in the immune continuum. Platelet activation in infectious and allergic lung diseases has been well documented and associated with bacterial infections reproduced in several animal models of pulmonary bacterial infections. Direct interactions between platelets and bacteria have been associated with increased pulmonary platelet accumulation, whereas bacterial-derived toxins have also been reported to modulate platelet function. Recently, platelets have been found extravascular in the lungs of patients with asthma, and in animal models of allergic lung inflammation. Their ability to interact with immune and endothelial cells and secrete immune mediators makes them one attractive target for biomarker identification that will help characterize their contribution to lung diseases. Here, we present an original review of the last advances in the platelet field with a focus on the contribution of platelets to respiratory infections and allergic-mediated diseases.
Highlights
Platelets are anucleate cell fragments derived from megakaryocytes that have been considered as mere “sacks” of mediators specialized in hemostasis and coagulation [1]
Platelets count with several organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes and peroxisomes, and a plethora of intracellular immune mediators stored in granules and vesicles [19]
As an example of dysfunction, decreased glycolytic function in platelets from asthmatic patients has shown to be compensated by increased tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity leading to a re-direction of their metabolism towards mitochondrial metabolism, which might increase oxidative injury in asthma [38]
Summary
Platelets are anucleate cell fragments derived from megakaryocytes that have been considered as mere “sacks” of mediators specialized in hemostasis and coagulation [1]. Platelets have gained increasing importance in the field of inflammation and immunology [1]. Recent reports demonstrate their ability to release mediators that can be recognized by other cell types, such as endothelial cells, macrophages, T lymphocytes, neutrophils, and mast cells, showing their potential role in pathologies such as allergy or infectious lung diseases. The current knowledge of platelet biology indicates that they can no longer be considered as “simple” cell fragments. We present an original review of the last advances in platelet field with a focus on allergic and infectious lung diseases
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