Abstract
In addition to their pivotal role in hemostasis, platelets are an integral part of inflammation. Growing evidence suggests that platelets are a key component of innate and adaptive immune responses. Better understanding of the mechanisms linking platelet function to chronic inflammatory tissue damage may reveal novel targets of therapeutic intervention in immune-mediated and/or inflammatory disorders. The functional interplay between platelets and inflammation is closely implicated in the pathophysiology of a variety of human diseases. This review discusses the relationship between platelets and inflammatory and immune responses across a wide range of conditions in internal medicine.
Keywords: Platelets, inflammation, immunity, hemostasis, leukocytes, vascular endothelial cells, lysosomes, fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin, P-selectin, glycoprotein, 12-lipoxygenase, polymorphonuclear cells, cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, neovascularization, fibrin formation, thromboembolic disease, clopidogrel, aspirin, malondialdehyde, thrombocytopenia, erythematosus, anticardiolipin, antiphospholipid syndrome, prostacyclin, Behçet's disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, thromboglobulin, Aminosalicylates, asthma, alveolar hypoxia, hyperproliferative disease, pleiotropism
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