Abstract

Platelets are a type of inflammatory cell. As a result, they exhibit characteristics similar to those of a traditional cell-mediated immune effector cell. Platelets are known to contain and can be stimulated to release a variety of bioactive molecules. These molecules aid in the regulation of vascular tone, increased tissue adhesion, increased vascular permeability, clot dissolution, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. Platelets have traditionally been associated with all of these functions as a cell that maintains haemostasis. Platelets rapidly respond to endothelial trauma as well as chemotactic stimuli associated with microbial colonization, and as a result, they are the earliest and most abundant cells found at sites of microbial colonization of vascular endothelium. They express inducible surface receptors and have cytoplasmic granules similar in structure and function to neutrophils, monocytes, or macrophages