Abstract

CARESTIA, Agostina; KAUFMAN, Tomás  and  SCHATTNER, Mirta. Role of platelets in the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2016, vol.50, n.2, pp.247-254. ISSN 0325-2957.

In addition to being key elements in hemostasis and thrombosis, platelets have an important role in inflammatory and innate immune responses. This activity is associated with their capability to recognize pathogens through the expression of TLRs, the secretion of a wide variety of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors stored within their granules and cell adhesion molecule expresssion that enable interaction with other vascular cells. As part of the first line of defense, neutrophils control invading pathogens by phagocytosis, the release of antimicrobial proteins during degranulation or  through the formation of web-like structures known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are formed by chromatin, proteases and antimicrobial proteins and their main function is to trap and kill bacteria, virus and fungi, thus avoiding their dissemination. Besides microorganisms, NETs formation is also triggered by proinflammatory molecules, and platelets. The uncontrolled formation of NETs might exert tissue damage and has been involved as a pathogenic mechanism of autoimmune and prothrombotic events. In this review, the role of platelets in NET generation is discussed, highlighting the mediators, stimuli and molecular mechanisms involved in this phenomenon, both in human and murine models.

Keywords : Platelets; Thrombosis; Sepsis; Neutrophils; Bacteria.

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