Platelet-neutrophil-interactions: Linking hemostasis and inflammation

Zarbock, Alexander; Polanowska-Grabowska, Renata K.; Ley, Klaus

doi:10.1016/j.blre.2006.06.001

« PreviousBlood Reviews
Volume 21, Issue 2 , Pages 99-111, March 2007

Platelet-neutrophil-interactions: Linking hemostasis and inflammation

Alexander Zarbock
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
Renata K. Polanowska-Grabowska
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics; University of Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Klaus Ley
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Corresponding author. Present address: University of Virginia Health System, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center P.O. Box 801394 Charlottesville, VA 22908-1394, USA: Tel.: +1 434 243-9966; fax: +1 434 924-2828.

published online 20 September 2006.

Summary

Platelets are essential for primary hemostasis, but they also play an important pro-inflammatory role. Platelets normally circulate in a quiescent state. Upon activation, platelets can secrete and present various molecules, change their shape as well as the expression pattern of adhesion molecules. These changes are associated with the adhesion of platelets to leukocytes and the vessel wall. The interaction of platelets with neutrophils promotes the recruitment of neutrophils into inflammatory tissue and thus participates in host defense. This interaction of neutrophils with platelets is mainly mediated through P-selectin and ß₂ and ß₃ integrins (CD11b/CD18, CD41/CD61). Platelets can also interact with endothelial cells and monocytes. Adherent platelets promote the ‘secondary capture‘ of neutrophils and other leukocytes. In addition, platelets secrete neutrophil and endothelial activators inducing production of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, platelets are important amplifiers of acute inflammation.

Keywords: Platelet-neutrophil-interactions, Hemostasis, Inflammation