title: Platelets are not just for clots.
abstract: Although the role of platelets as central mediators of hemostasis and thrombosis has been the primary focus of research into platelet biology for more than a century, over the last decade, nonhemostatic functions of platelets have been increasingly defined. As such, a large body of experimental evidence now exists, which places the platelet as a key player in mediating a diverse range of immune, inflammatory, and malignant disease processes. This review outlines the central mechanisms that underpin the nonhemostatic role of platelets and provides a summary of evidence demonstrating a role for platelets in mediating selected inflammatory, immune, and malignant disease processes.
authors: Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: McFadyen
authors: Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: zane.kaplan@monash.edu.
authors: Zane S
authors: ZS
authors: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology; D065227:Transfusion Reaction / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
keywords: Cancer; Inflammation; Leukocytes; Platelets; Thrombosis