title: Blood platelet biochemistry.
abstract: Defects in platelet function or formation increase the risk for bleeding or thrombosis, which indicates the crucial role for platelets in maintaining haemostasis in normal life. Upon vascular injury, platelets instantly adhere to the exposed extracellular matrix which results in platelet activation and aggregation and the formation a haemostatic plug that stops bleeding. To prevent excessive platelet aggregate formation that eventually would occlude the vessels, this self-amplifying process nevertheless requires a tight control. This review intends to give a comprehensive overview of the currently established main mechanisms in platelet function.
authors: Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, IRF Life Sciences, KU Leuven campus Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium.
authors: Katleen
authors: K
authors: Broos
authors: Simon F
authors: SF
authors: De Meyer
authors: Hendrik B
authors: HB
authors: Feys
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Vanhoorelbeke
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Deckmyn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D038982:Integrin alpha2beta1 / Q000097:blood; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D015539:Platelet Activation; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D038982:Integrin alpha2beta1; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; C094990:adhesion receptor; C098341:platelet membrane glycoprotein VI; D014841:von Willebrand Factor