Published ahead of print on December 9, 2005, doi:10.1164/rccm.200508-1243PP
© 2006 American Thoracic Society doi: 10.1164/rccm.200508-1243PP
The Inflammatory Role of Platelets in Cystic FibrosisDepartment of Pediatrics, UMass Memorial Health Care; Department of Pediatrics; and Center for Platelet Function Studies, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Brian P. O'Sullivan, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, UMass Memorial Health Care, 55 Lake Avenue, North Worcester, MA 01655. E-mail: osullivb{at}ummhc.org ABSTRACT Platelets are an important, albeit generally underappreciated, component of the inflammatory cascade. Platelets are known to contribute to inflammation in atherosclerosis, stroke, and asthma. They produce a large number of proinflammatory lipid mediators and cytokines, and play a vital role in recruitment of leukocytes into inflamed tissue. We review the role of platelets in inflammation, how they assist in the recruitment of leukocytes into lung tissue in asthma, and evidence of their dysfunction in cystic fibrosis (CF). Platelet dysfunction in CF could contribute to pulmonary inflammation and tissue destruction. We hypothesize that platelet activation is important in CF lung disease and suggest research avenues that might help elucidate the role of activated platelets in CF.
Key Words: platelets cystic fibrosis inflammation arachidonic acid aspirin This article has been cited by other articles:
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