The clinical significance of platelet membrane glycoproteins.

To mediate their hemostatic functions, platelets must adhere to exposed vascular subendothelium and then aggregate. A variety of membrane glycoprotein receptors for adhesive ligands are present on platelets that promote adhesion and aggregation. Analysis of congenital disorders of platelet glycoproteins has been instrumental in clarifying our knowledge of how these receptors function. Elucidation of the role of platelet glycoproteins in normal hemostasis has also provided insight into possible strategies for modulating receptor function in thrombotic disorders and for identifying activated platelets as markers of thrombus formation.