Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Structure and Function of Platelets01:18

Structure and Function of Platelets

The cell fragments known as platelets are disc-shaped, with an average diameter of about 3 μm and a thickness of roughly 1 μm. They play a crucial role in the body's vascular clotting system, which also involves plasma proteins, blood cells, and blood vessel tissues.
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Formation of the Platelet Plug01:22

Formation of the Platelet Plug

The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Inflammation01:38

Inflammation

Overview
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells01:15

Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
Introduction to Hemostasis01:05

Introduction to Hemostasis

Hemostasis is a complex physiological process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. It's crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system, as it ensures that our blood remains fluid while still within the vascular network and yet clots to prevent blood loss upon vessel injury.
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized, and...
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis01:20

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis

Blood clotting or coagulation involves extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which ultimately merge into the common pathway, forming a fibrin clot.
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which forms a...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Understanding immune thrombocytopenia pathophysiology has come a long way.

Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH·2026
Same author

Hypoxia suppresses platelet activity through GPVI downregulation but paradoxically enhances arterial thrombosis via elevated vWF.

Cardiovascular research·2026
Same author

Platelet proteomics on less than a drop of previously frozen, non-citrate plasma.

Molecular omics·2026
Same author

Toggling STAT to restore T-cell homeostasis in ITP.

Blood·2026
Same author

MicroRNAs as potential architects of immune dysregulation and megakaryocytic failure in immune thrombocytopenia.

British journal of haematology·2026
Same author

Circulating T follicular helper cells as emerging biomarkers in pediatric Evans syndrome.

Haematologica·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Real-time Imaging of Heterotypic Platelet-neutrophil Interactions on the Activated Endothelium During Vascular Inflammation and Thrombus Formation in Live Mice
11:18

Real-time Imaging of Heterotypic Platelet-neutrophil Interactions on the Activated Endothelium During Vascular Inflammation and Thrombus Formation in Live Mice

Published on: April 2, 2013

Platelets and the immune continuum.

John W Semple1, Joseph E Italiano, John Freedman

  • 1Toronto Platelet Immunobiology Group, Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5B 1W8. semplej@smh.ca

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|March 26, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Platelets, essential for blood clotting, also play a significant role in immune responses. These anucleate cells actively influence both innate and adaptive immunity, revealing their complex immunological functions.

More Related Videos

An In Vitro Assay to Study Platelet Migration Using RGD-Functionalized Avidin-Biotin Tethers
05:43

An In Vitro Assay to Study Platelet Migration Using RGD-Functionalized Avidin-Biotin Tethers

Published on: November 8, 2024

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells
09:46

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

Published on: December 27, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Real-time Imaging of Heterotypic Platelet-neutrophil Interactions on the Activated Endothelium During Vascular Inflammation and Thrombus Formation in Live Mice
11:18

Real-time Imaging of Heterotypic Platelet-neutrophil Interactions on the Activated Endothelium During Vascular Inflammation and Thrombus Formation in Live Mice

Published on: April 2, 2013

An In Vitro Assay to Study Platelet Migration Using RGD-Functionalized Avidin-Biotin Tethers
05:43

An In Vitro Assay to Study Platelet Migration Using RGD-Functionalized Avidin-Biotin Tethers

Published on: November 8, 2024

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells
09:46

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

Published on: December 27, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Platelets are primarily known for their role in hemostasis.
  • Their involvement in immune responses is often overlooked by immunologists.
  • Platelets can be considered nuisances in certain in vitro immunological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the immunological functions of platelets.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which platelets influence immune responses.
  • To highlight the underestimated immunological capabilities of platelets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on platelet immunology.
  • Analysis of experimental data demonstrating platelet-immune cell interactions.
  • Discussion of molecular and cellular pathways involved.

Main Results:

  • Platelets possess significant inflammatory functions.
  • They actively modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses.
  • Evidence suggests platelets are more immunologically active than previously recognized.

Conclusions:

  • Platelets are key players in immune system regulation.
  • Understanding platelet immunology is crucial for a comprehensive view of immunity.
  • Further research into platelet functions will uncover new therapeutic targets.