Platelets: Physiology and Biochemistry

Abstract

This manuscript represents a republication of a manuscript originally published in STH in 2005. This republication is to help celebrate 50 years of publishing for STH. The original abstract follows.Platelets are specialized blood cells that play central roles in physiologic and pathologic processes of hemostasis, inflammation, tumor metastasis, wound healing, and host defense. Activation of platelets is crucial for platelet function that includes a complex interplay of adhesion and signaling molecules. This article gives an overview of the activation processes involved in primary and secondary hemostasis, for example, platelet adhesion, platelet secretion, platelet aggregation, microvesicle formation, and clot retraction/stabilization. In addition, activated platelets are predominantly involved in cross-talk to other blood and vascular cells. Stimulated “sticky” platelets enable recruitment of leukocytes at sites of vascular injury under high shear conditions. Platelet-derived microparticles as well as soluble adhesion molecules, sP-selectin and sCD40L, shed from the surface of activated platelets, are capable of activating, in turn, leukocytes and endothelial cells. This article focuses further on the new view of receptor-mediated thrombin generation of human platelets, necessary for the formation of a stable platelet–fibrin clot during secondary hemostasis. Finally, special emphasis is placed on important stimulatory and inhibitory signaling pathways that modulate platelet function.

The Most Highly Downloaded Publications from Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis: A Data Analysis 10 Years in the Making

“…19,20 This is also a perennial favorite of STH readers, and always on the top list of most downloaded papers in every year of analysis, as well as being an almost permanent fixture in the "most read" list in the online journal list of top 10. 23 Indeed, as noted above, we have republished this paper in the current issue of STH, 20 with an accompanying Commentary. 21 The perennial popularity of this 2005 paper actually led me to commission an update for the journal, which was aptly written by Gremmel, Frelinger and Michelson, 24 and which also regularly appears on the online journal list of top 10, 23 as well as being listed as the 3 rd most popular paper in the past 10 years (►Table 1).…”

“…The second most popular (MP) paper is from the writing team of Jurk and Kehrel, on the physiology and biochemistry of platelets. 19,20 This is also a perennial favorite of STH readers, and always on the top list of most downloaded papers in every year of analysis, as well as being an almost permanent fixture in the "most read" list in the online journal list of top 10. 23 Indeed, as noted above, we have republished this paper in the current issue of STH, 20 with an accompanying Commentary.…”

“…15 In the fourth issue of 2024, we republished another early manuscript on the PFA-100, 16,17 which was one with the founding editor in chief of STH, Eberhard F. Mammen, as lead author, and also representing the fourth most highly cited manuscript from STH of all time, 11 together with an accompanying Commentary from one of the original coathors Robert Gosselin. 18 In the current issue of the journal, the fifth issue of 2024, we are republishing an early manuscript on platelets, 19,20 this one representing the sixth most highly cited manuscript from STH of all time, 11 as well as the second most downloaded paper in recent past (see current Editorial), together with an accompanying Commentary from one of our senior editors, Julie B. Larsen. 21 In the remaining issues of STH for 2024, we would plan to republish other most highly cited publications from STH of all time, or most highly downloaded publications from STH from the past 10 years, as also accompanied by Commentaries from experts in the specific featured fields.…”

Platelet Physiology and Biochemistry: A Topic as Relevant as Ever

“…As a part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, each 2024 issue includes one "historical" paper that somehow stands out among the many excellent contributions to Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis through the years. This issue's historical paper by Jurk and Kehrel, "Platelets: Physiology and Biochemistry" from 2005 1,2 turns the spotlight on platelets. These small cells continue to fascinate us with their intricate pathways of function and their multiple interactions with other cells and physiological systems-and sometimes also to frustrate us when we try to measure different aspects of platelet function and translate these measurements into clinically useful biomarkers.…”

Celebrating 50 Years of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis—Part IV

“…As this issue is being published in 2024, and since we are republishing a manuscript from the STH archive with each issue of STH in 2024, along with an accompanying Commentary, this issue concludes with these elements. For the current issue, we are including a republished manuscript originally published in 2005 15,16 and noted to be the second most highly downloaded paper from STH in recent history (from 2014) 17 as well as the 6 th most highly cited STH paper of all time. 18 These markers of popularity and relevance are a true marker of this paper's enduring popular appeal.…”