The Crucial Roles of Platelets as Immune Mediators in Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease characterized by organ dysfunction resulting from a dysregulated host response to infection, potentially progressing to septic shock. Decreased platelet count and platelet dysfunction serve as crucial clinical markers for assessing the severity and prognosis of sepsis. Historically, platelets have been recognized primarily for their role in hemostasis and thrombosis. However, researches have increasingly demonstrated their significant involvement in innate immunity, contributing to the inflammatory response and coagulation dysfunction in sepsis, mediating sepsis-related complications. The mitigation of the inflammatory response and the suppression of immune mediator release can be achieved through the inhibition of platelet activation, thereby underscoring the therapeutic potential of antiplatelet therapy in ameliorating sepsis. This paper systematically discusses the role of platelets in sepsis, from pathological mechanisms to therapeutic targets, integrating cutting-edge research advances and clinical practice needs to provide a theoretical foundation and translational direction for precision treatment of sepsis.