New Discoveries in Biological Functions of Platelet
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 13486
Special Issue Editors
Interests: platelet signaling; ion homeostasis; channelopathies; SOCE; megakaryopoiesis
Interests: tumor microenvironment; circulating blood cells; platelets; cancer-associated thrombosis; inflammatory ecosystem of tumors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Platelets are small, disc-shaped blood cells that play a vital role in hemostasis, or the prevention of bleeding after vessel injury. Although platelets have long been known to be involved in thrombosis, recent research has revealed new biological functions of these cells in other pathological complications, such as sepsis, diabetes, fibrosis, myocardial infarction, vasculitis, and cancer metastasis. Platelets have been found to interact with immune cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, and modulate their effector functions. They can directly recognize and respond to bacterial and viral pathogens and release antimicrobial peptides and cytokines, which can help fight infections. Platelets can also interact with endothelial cells, leukocytes, and other inflammatory cells, releasing inflammatory mediators, such as thromboxane A2 (TXA2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). These mediators can recruit and activate immune cells, promote vasodilation and vascular permeability, and enhance the production of cytokines and chemokines. In sepsis or virus infection, activated platelets promote extracellular trap formation and intravascular coagulation. Moreover, platelets contain growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promote tissue healing and regeneration. These growth factors can stimulate the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, thereby supporting angiogenesis. Finally, platelets have been found to play a role in different steps of tumor progression. They directly interact with cancer cells, promoting their survival and transmigration through the endothelium, leading to tumor metastasis. Platelets contribute to the formation of the pre-metastatic niche by promoting the recruitment and activation of immune cells and by releasing cytokines and growth factors that support angiogenesis and tumor cell survival. Additionally, platelets can modulate the response of cancer cells to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, promoting tumor cell survival and resistance to these treatments. Recent research has revealed important insights into the complex interplay between platelets, immune and cancer cells, leading to new discoveries of platelets in cancer-associated thrombosis and thrombo-inflammation.
Our open-access journal, Biomolecules, is currently hosting an important Special Issue entitled “New Discoveries in the Biological Functions of Platelets”, including the indicated topics. The submission deadline for this Special Issue is 1 October 2023. You are welcome to submit your manuscript now or at any point up until the deadline.
Dr. Attila Braun
Dr. Elmina Mammadova-Bach
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- platelets
- thrombosis
- sepsis
- coagulopathy
- blood clotting
- diabetes
- vascular integrity/permeability
- wound healing
- tissue regeneration
- fibrosis
- vasculitis
- immune cells
- inflammation
- extracellular traps
- angiogenesis
- tumor growth and metastasis
- anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic therapies
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