Life span of monocytes and platelets: importance of interactions

Monocytes interact and cross-talk with platelets in many settings including inflammation, hemeostasis, or vascular disorders. These interactions are important for the regulation of life span of both. During inflammatory diseases, there is a rapid targeting of monocytes and platelets to points of inflammation and endothelial injury where they lie side-by-side. Adherence between monocytes/macrophages (Mphi) and platelets occur in the vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaque, but it is also shown in the blood stream where it has been called platelet satellitism. This phenomenon has been attributed to thrombotic disorders such as stroke. Furthermore, we discovered consequences for leukocyte apoptosis after the interaction with platelets. Herein, we reviewed the complex mechanism and interactions regulating the life span of both types of blood cells. We also provide a distinct focus on apoptosis of platelets and Mphi.