Thromb Haemost 2017; 117(04): 651-661
DOI: 10.1160/TH16-12-0921
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Small but mighty: Platelets as central effectors of host defense

Thomas J. Stocker
1   Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
,
Ishikawa-Ankerhold Hellen
1   Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
,
Massberg Steffen
1   Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
2   DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
,
Schulz Christian
1   Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
2   DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
› Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Received: 08. Dezember 2016

Accepted after minor revision: 19. Januar 2017

Publikationsdatum:
28. November 2017 (online)

Preview

Summary

Platelets actively participate in inflammatory processes and drive diseases such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer metastasis. However, platelets also have anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties, which have received less consideration in the past. In this review, we highlight recent findings on the role of platelets in host defense and describe regulatory pathways modulating immuneresponses. Furthermore, we discuss the role of platelets for the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. These conceptual changes contribute to our understanding of platelet biology in disease.