Preface

Chapter 8 **A Role for Platelets in Normal Pregnancy 159**

Voahanginirina Randriamboavonjy

Barbara Plagg and Christian Humpel

**Hyperactivation 177**

Chapter 10 **Platelets in Alzheimer's Disease 191**

Chapter 11 **Platelets in Tissue Regeneration 221**

Chapter 9 **Mechanisms Involved in Diabetes-Associated Platelet**

**Section 4 Platelets in Tissue Regeneration and Wound Repair 219**

Ronaldo J. F. C. do Amaral and Alex Balduino

Moran

**VI** Contents

Maryam Al Obaidly, Carmen Regan, Bashir Lwaleed and Niamh

Platelets are small anucleate, short lived particle derived from the larger precursor cell, the megakaryo‐ cyte. First discovered by Bizzozero in 1882, they were rediscovered in the 1960's after many decades of oblivion. It is now well established that platelets play a key role in thrombosis and haemostasis. Howev‐ er, as our basic knowledge in platelet biology has improved through the years, it is becoming more evi‐ dent that the role of this small particle of a cell extends beyond that of thrombosis and haemostasis alone. Functional roles for platelets in homeostasis have been identified. Thus, platelets also appear to play a significant role in other elements of bodily homestasis. For example, their quiet capacity to or‐ chestrate events in several processes including pregnancy, infection and immunity, their potential use of platelet biomarkers in psychiatric disorders and finally their ability to transport a plethora of bioac‐ tive molecules highlighting their potential uses to enhance wound healing and enable tissue regenera‐ tion suggest that we are only beginning to understand the importance of this unique cellular particle.

Currently no single publication specifically focuses on the multiple alternate roles of platelets. The *Non-Thrombotic Role of Platelets in Health and Disease* aims to address this.

The book is separated into 4 sections;

Section I. Platelet production and function

Section II. Platelets in inflammation, infection and immunity

Section III. Platelets in various disease states

Section IV. Platelets in tissue regeneration

The authors of each of the 11 chapters are world leaders in their respective fields. While significant ad‐ vances have been made recently in the nonthromboic role of platelets in health and disease the primary intent of this book is to elevate awareness and enthusiasm in further investigating these new functions.

#### **ACKNOWLEDGMENTS**

The editors would like to acknowledge financial support from the Health Research Board of Ireland, School of Pharmacy, Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics and the Office of Research and Innovation in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

> **Dr. Steve Kerrigan M.Sc, PhD, C.Biol, FSB** Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology / Principal Investigator Host Infection Group RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies / MCT Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland

#### **Prof. Niamh Moran PhD**

Principal Investigator, Platelet Biology / Head of School of Postgraduate Studies RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies / Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland

**Platelet Production and Function**
