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Normal platelet function

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Abstract

Platelets play an important role in the vessel. Following their formation from megakaryocytes, platelets exist in circulation for 5–7 days and primarily function as regulators of hemostasis and thrombosis. Following vascular insult or injury, platelets become activated in the blood resulting in adhesion to the exposed extracellular matrix underlying the endothelium, formation of a platelet plug, and finally formation and consolidation of a thrombus consisting of both a core and shell. In pathological conditions, platelets are essential for formation of occlusive thrombus formation and as a result are the primary target for prevention of arterial thrombus formation. In addition to regulation of hemostasis in the vessel, platelets have also been shown to play an important role in innate immunity as well as regulation of tumor growth and extravasations in the vessel. These primary functions of the platelet represent its normal function and versatility in circulation.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health grants R01 HL114405 and R01 GM105671. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, 2220D MSRB III, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5632, USA

    Michael Holinstat

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Michael Holinstat

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  1. Michael Holinstat
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Correspondence to Michael Holinstat.

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Holinstat, M. Normal platelet function. Cancer Metastasis Rev 36, 195–198 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-017-9677-x

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