Modification of immunological features in human platelets during sepsis

Sepsis is an organic dysfunction that puts at risk the life of patients suffering this disorder due to an exacerbated immunological response to the infection mediated by the host. Platelets have been largely researched on sepsis owing to its role in Disseminated Intracellular Coagulation (DIC) and because thrombocytopenia is an important clinical feature of these patients. Nevertheless, a great number of evidence shows that platelets have also an important role in immunological response since they have pattern recognition receptors, chemokine receptors and granules with stored soluble mediators. In this work, the immunological features of platelets in individuals with sepsis are described. The results show that platelets of these individuals have high levels of surfaces expression of TLR4, CD62P, CD32 and thrombin receptor 1 (PAR-1), these platelets have also greater capability to join Escherichia coli, and show a different profile of soluble mediators (IL-1β, CD40L and TNF-α). Platelets from patients with sepsis form aggregates with neutrophils in circulation, but are unable to induce the production of reactive oxygen species. This research describes important features of platelets to help the understanding of the immunological role of these cells in sepsis.