The neurokinin 1 receptor: a potential new target for anti-platelet therapy?
The important role of platelets in the development of arterial thrombosis and cardiovascular disease is well established. Current treatments for arterial thrombosis include anti-platelet agents such as aspirin, thienopyridines and glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors. Despite these drugs being effective there remains a substantial unmet clinical demand for more effective therapeutic approaches, which may reflect the existence of alternative underlying regulatory mechanisms to those already targeted. Recent publications have demonstrated a key role for tachykinins in the positive feedback regulation of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. The pro-thrombotic effects of tachykinins on platelets are mediated through the neurokinin 1 receptor, which may therefore offer a novel therapeutic drug target in the prevention and the treatment of arterial thrombosis.
Jones
Sarah
S
School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AJ, UK. j.m.gibbins@reading.ac.uk
Gibbins
Jonathan M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D015320:Tachykinins