Platelets in lung biology

AS Weyrich, GA Zimmerman - Annual review of physiology, 2013 - annualreviews.org
AS Weyrich, GA Zimmerman
Annual review of physiology, 2013annualreviews.org
Platelets and the lungs have an intimate relationship. Platelets are anucleate mammalian
blood cells that continuously circulate through pulmonary vessels and that have major
effector activities in hemostasis and inflammation. The lungs are reservoirs for
megakaryocytes, the requisite precursor cell in thrombopoiesis, which is the intricate
process by which platelets are generated. Platelets contribute to basal barrier integrity of the
alveolar capillaries, which selectively restricts the transfer of water, proteins, and red blood …
Platelets and the lungs have an intimate relationship. Platelets are anucleate mammalian blood cells that continuously circulate through pulmonary vessels and that have major effector activities in hemostasis and inflammation. The lungs are reservoirs for megakaryocytes, the requisite precursor cell in thrombopoiesis, which is the intricate process by which platelets are generated. Platelets contribute to basal barrier integrity of the alveolar capillaries, which selectively restricts the transfer of water, proteins, and red blood cells out of the vessels. Platelets also contribute to pulmonary vascular repair. Although platelets bolster hemostatic and inflammatory defense of the healthy lung, experimental evidence and clinical evidence indicate that these blood cells are effectors of injury in a variety of pulmonary disorders and syndromes. Newly discovered biological capacities of platelets are being explored in the context of lung defense, disease, and remodeling.
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