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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...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...

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Updated: May 27, 2026

Procoagulant Platelet Characterization by Measuring Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Microvesicle Release from Human Purified Platelets
05:49

Procoagulant Platelet Characterization by Measuring Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Microvesicle Release from Human Purified Platelets

Published on: November 29, 2024

Platelet life span and apoptosis.

Emma C Josefsson1, Michael J White, Mark R Dowling

  • 1Cancer and Haematology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 2, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Platelets rely on Bcl-x(L) protein for survival, which inhibits Bak-induced apoptosis. This study details methods to measure platelet apoptosis hallmarks and lifespan, crucial for understanding platelet regulation.

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Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro
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05:49

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Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro
10:25

Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro

Published on: March 19, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Hematology
  • Apoptosis research

Background:

  • Platelet survival and death are regulated by Bcl-2 family proteins, similar to nucleated cells.
  • Bcl-x(L) is essential for platelet viability, preventing Bak-mediated mitochondrial damage and apoptosis.
  • Dysregulation of platelet apoptosis impacts platelet lifespan in vivo.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe methodologies for assessing platelet lifespan.
  • To present techniques for enumerating young platelets.
  • To detail methods for measuring key indicators of platelet apoptosis, including phosphatidylserine exposure, caspase activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Platelet isolation and preparation.
  • Assessment of platelet lifespan using established techniques.
  • Quantification of phosphatidylserine exposure via flow cytometry.
  • Measurement of caspase activation.
  • Evaluation of mitochondrial membrane potential and function.

Main Results:

  • Established methods allow for the determination of platelet lifespan.
  • Quantification of young platelets is achievable.
  • Key hallmarks of platelet apoptosis, such as PS exposure, caspase activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, can be reliably measured.
  • These methods provide insights into the regulation of platelet cell death.

Conclusions:

  • The described methods enable comprehensive analysis of platelet apoptosis.
  • Understanding platelet apoptosis regulation is critical for hematological research.
  • These techniques can be applied to study platelet disorders and aging.