Platelets’ Functionality in Hemostasis, Inflammation, and Immune Response to Infections

Abstract

Platelets play a central role in hemostasis and are increasingly recognized for their critical functions in immune responses and inflammation. This review explores the mechanisms by which platelets contribute to these processes, from their involvement in clot formation and wound healing to their emerging role in modulating immune cell activity during infections. The interaction between platelets and the inflammatory cascade creates a complex inflammation-hemostasis loop, with implications for both acute and chronic disease states. Platelets aggregate at the site of tissue damage, and adhere to the white blood cells, with subsequent release of cytokines and chemokines which are required for targeting lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils to promote inflammation. Similarly, platelets engulf microbes and affect the prognosis of bacterial and viral infections. Recent advances in understanding platelet function during bacterial and viral infections are discussed, with a focus on the therapeutic potential of targeting platelet-mediated pathways in various pathological conditions.