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Platelet biology: the role of shear

Angus Ka Tsun Wong1

  • 1Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, 6th Floor, Burnet Tower, 89 Commercial Rd., Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. angus.wonga@gmail.com

Expert Review of Hematology
|April 4, 2013
PubMed

Platelets are anucleated fragments produced by megakaryocytes that circulate in the blood. Platelets are involved in the initial cellular response to damaged endothelium and migrate to this area to prevent excessive bleeding. What is becoming more acknowledged over the last few decades is that blood flow (hemodynamics) plays a critical role in platelet function. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current understanding of platelet biology with particular focus on the role of hemodynamics. The emerging concept of shear microgradients, which are challenging the traditional model of platelet function, will also be introduced in the review.

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