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Endogenous Mechanisms of Inhibition of Platelet Function
Author(s) -
JIN RICHARD C.,
VOETSCH BARBARA,
LOSCALZO JOSEPH
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
microcirculation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.793
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1549-8719
pISSN - 1073-9688
DOI - 10.1080/10739680590925493
Subject(s) - platelet , prostacyclin , hemostasis , thrombus , coagulation , endothelium , endogeny , nitric oxide , chemistry , pharmacology , platelet activation , medicine , immunology , biochemistry
Platelets play an important role in coagulation, in maintenance of hemostasis, and in the pathophysiology of thrombotic diseases. In response to blood vessel injury, platelets accumulate at the site, recruit other platelets, promote clotting, and form a hemostatic plug to prevent hemorrhage. By contrast, several inhibitory mechanisms modulate platelet function and act in a synergistic manner to prevent pathologic thrombus formation. This review focuses on the principal endogenous inhibitors of platelet function and the central role of the normal endothelium in these inhibitory processes. The main endothelium‐derived platelet inhibitors include nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and Ecto‐ADPase/CD39/NTPDase. Each of these factors is discussed in turn, and the specific mechanisms by which they inhibit platelet function are reviewed.