Physiological functions of platelets.

Platelets are discoid, anucleate cells with a large number of secretory granules. Physiological agonists (thrombin, collagen, ADP, adrenaline, thromboxane A2, serotonin, vasopressin) interact with specific receptors on the platelet surface which causes the platelet responses shape change, aggregation, secretion of substances from three types of granules and liberation of arachidonate from membrane phospholipids. Some secreted substances and conversion products of arachidonate are platelet agonists and enhance platelet stimulation (positive feedback). The shape change and aggregation responses are of central importance for platelet adhesion to the subendothelium and formation of platelet thrombi. Dense granule secretion and the storage of ADP, ATP, Ca2+ and serotonin, a-granule secretion of platelet-specific, cationic, coagulation and carbohydrate-containing proteins as well as secretion of glycosidases are also shown to be important for platelet participation in haemostasis and thrombosis. Signal transduction mechanisms (phospholipase C activation, polyphosphoinositide metabolism, Ca2+ mobilization) and arachidonate oxygenation are central processes for the physiological functions of platelets.