Published ahead of print on December 9, 2005, doi:10.1164/rccm.200508-1243PP Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Volume 173, Number 5, March 2006, 483-490 A more recent version of this article appeared on March 1, 2006
Submitted on August 10, 2005 The Inflammatory Role of Platelets in Cystic FibrosisBrian P O'Sullivan1* and Alan D Michelson21 Department of Pediatrics, UMass Mass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Universtiy of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA, 2 Department of Pediatrics, UMass Mass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Universtiy of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Center for Platelet Function Studies, Universtiy of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: osullivb{at}ummhc.org.
Platelets are an important, albeit generally under appreciated, component of the inflammatory cascade. Platelets are known to contribute to inflammation in atherosclerosis, stroke, and asthma. They produce a large number of pro-inflammatory 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: cystic fibrosis, platelets, inflammation
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