title: [Molecular mechanisms of platelet activation].
abstract: The main role of blood platelets is to ensure vascular integrity and hemostasis in case of vascular damage. The platelet functions involved in these physiological processes are also at work in arterial thrombosis, which is a dramatic complication of atherosclerosis that may lead to vascular occlusion. These functions of platelets include their ability to adhere to the injured vessel wall, to be activated by contact with various substrates and soluble activators, and to form aggregates stabilized by a fibrin network. Platelets are also involved in metastasis, various inflammatory processes, innate and adaptive immune defenses, and embryonic development. These roles are supported by multiple molecular mechanisms, some of which are common to several functions while others are distinct. Defects in one or other of these mechanisms do not necessarily disrupt all platelet functions.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gachet
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness / Q000502:physiology; D058472:Receptors, Purinergic P2Y1 / Q000502:physiology; D058925:Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12 / Q000502:physiology; D013917:Thrombin / Q000502:physiology; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D058472:Receptors, Purinergic P2Y1; D058925:Receptors, Purinergic P2Y12; D013928:Thromboxane A2; D013917:Thrombin