title: Platelets, complement and tissue inflammation.
abstract: The release of immunoregulatory and inflammatory molecules following platelet activation has been invariably associated with the expression of tissue injury in several clinical conditions including trauma, organ transplantation, inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune diseases. We present a thorough review of the available information on the role of platelets and their interaction with complement cascade on the expression of tissue inflammation and organ damage. We propose that in autoimmune diseases and conditions associated with ischemia/reperfusion, platelets are decorated with complement, become activated and lodge tissues inappropriately to spread the inflammatory process. Interventions such as limiting complement decoration and suppression of signaling processes leading to platelet activation should be met with clinical benefit.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ioannou
authors.forename: Lakshmi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kannan
authors.forename: George C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Tsokos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D003165:Complement System Proteins