Platelets as central hubs of inflammation

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hematology
• Pathology

Background:

• Platelets are known for hemostasis and thrombosis.
• Emerging evidence suggests platelets actively regulate inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose platelets as the central hub regulating inflammation.
• To develop the platelet inflammation hypothesis.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review design.
• Tracing active molecules in platelet granules.
• Mapping platelet regulatory mechanisms in inflammation.

Main Results:

• Platelets dynamically regulate inflammation via granule contents interacting with immune cells and vasculature.
• Platelets influence aseptic, infectious, cancer, and neuroinflammation.
• Platelet regulation involves dual control of immune thrombogenesis via DAMPs and PAMPs.

Conclusions:

• Platelets are central hubs in tissue-immune inflammatory networks.
• Platelet immunoregulatory functions are crucial in diverse pathologies.
• This framework aids diagnostics and antiplatelet therapy development for inflammatory/thrombotic diseases.