Human platelets express the synaptic markers VGLUT1 and 2 and release glutamate following aggregation.

Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) are involved in storing glutamate for secretion at the level of glutamatergic axon terminals, and for this reason they have been extensively used as markers to identify glutamate-releasing cells. Platelets have been considered as a suitable model for studying glutamatergic dysfunction because they perform glutamate uptake and express both external transporters, and NMDA-like receptors. Here, we show that platelets express the pre-synaptic markers VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 and release glutamate following aggregation, implying a possible contributory role in the pathophysiology of stroke, migraine, and other excitotoxic disorders.