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Updated: May 23, 2026

A Model of Self-limited Acute Lung Injury by Unilateral Intra-bronchial Acid Instillation
Published on: August 30, 2019
Platelet-mediated vascular dysfunction during acute lung injury
James T Dixon1, Evelyne Gozal, Andrew M Roberts
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
Context:
Platelets have significant roles in initiating and mediating reduced alveolar blood flow, microvascular leak, and ventilation/perfusion mismatch caused by metabolic changes and altered signal transduction caused by ischemia-reperfusion.
Objective:
This review focuses on platelet mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in the lung and presents a hypothesis for interplay between platelet activation, endothelial damage and fibrinogen. The purpose is to discuss current knowledge regarding mechanisms of platelet-mediated endothelial injury and implications for new strategies to treat vascular dysfunction associated with acute lung injury (ALI).
Methods:
Literature from a number of fields was searched using Medline and Google Scholar.
Results:
Activated platelets contribute to redox imbalance through reactive oxygen species production, pro-leak molecules such as PAF and serotonin, and recruitment of inflammatory cytokines and leukocytes to the damaged endothelium.
Conclusion:
Platelets are a critical component of pulmonary ALI, acting in conjunction with fibrinogen to mediate endothelial damage through multiple signal transduction pathways.
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