Meet the editor

Professor Steven W. Kerrigan is deputy head of the School of Pharmacy (Research), head of the Cardiovascular Infection Research Group at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and inventor of the sepsis treatment drug InnovoSep. Professor Kerrigan is a graduate of King's College London, England (Pharmacology), University of Strathclyde, Scotland (Immunopharmacology), and RCSI

(Infection and Immunity). His research focuses on understanding the platelet and endothelial response to infection during sepsis. Through research, Professor Kerrigan identified a promising drug target that prevents a wide number of microorganisms (bacteria, fungus, and virus) from causing a dysregulated response in the systemic circulation during sepsis, specifically preventing unwanted platelet and endothelial cell activation. Professor Kerrigan has published extensively in leading high-impact journals in the areas of platelets, endothelial cells, and bloodstream infections, and has attracted more than €6.5 million in grant funding and filed three patent/disclosures. Professor Kerrigan is currently co-chair of the ISTH Scientific Standardization Committee Biorheology (platelets) and member of the European Sepsis Alliance research committee.

Contents

**Section 1**

Platelet Imaging

Procoagulant Platelets *by Andaleb Kholmukhamedov*

*and Raúl Teruel-Montoya*

*by Muhammet Mesut Nezir Engin*

Thrombocytopenia in Neonates

*by Bernhard Resch*

**Section 3**

**Section 2**

**Preface XI**

Platelet Function **1**

**Chapter 1 3**

**Chapter 2 21**

**Chapter 3 61**

**Chapter 4 77**

Platelet Dysfunction **101**

**Chapter 5 103**

**Chapter 6 121**

Platelet Application **135**

**Chapter 7 137**

*by Zachary A. Matthay and Lucy Zumwinkle Kornblith*

MicroRNAs in Platelets: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Bleeding Disorders Associated with Abnormal Platelets: Glanzmann Thrombasthenia and Bernard-Soulier Syndrome

Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) Application in Oral Surgery *by Alper Saglanmak, Caglar Cinar and Alper Gultekin*

*by Sonia Águila, Ernesto Cuenca-Zamora, Constantino Martínez* 

*by Mrinal K. Poddar and Soumyabrata Banerjee*

Molecular Aspects of Pathophysiology of Platelet Receptors

## Contents


**Chapter 8 151** Rapid Cytoreduction by Plateletapheresis in the Treatment of Thrombocythemia *by Bela Balint, Mirjana Pavlovic and Milena Todorovic*

Preface

Mammalian platelets are small (2–4 um), discoid, short-lived fragments derived from megakaryocyte precursors. They play a crucial role not only in the formation of a normal hemostatic plug but also in the formation of a pathologic thrombus, particularly within arteries subjected to high shear stress. Platelets circulate in a resting state through blood vessels lined by an endothelial layer. Following an insult to the endothelial layer platelets undergo a series of changes that ultimately lead to them changing shape, secreting their granule contents, and aggregating to prevent blood loss. Thus, platelets rely on specific adhesive interactions with extracellular matrices (e.g., collagen, von Willebrand factor, fibronectin). In order to achieve firm adhesion, platelets possess many receptors specific for extracellular matrix proteins. As our basic knowledge in platelet biology has improved through the years, it is has become evident that the role of platelets extends beyond that of thrombosis and hemostasis. Current state of the art suggests that platelets play a key role in a much wider repertoire of physiological processes such as inflammation, innate immunity, cancer, infection, neurobiology, and tissue repair/regeneration.

The individual chapters in this book identify one particular aspect of platelet function, dysfunction, or application. The book is not intended to be read from cover to cover as the reader seeks authoritative information on any one given aspect of platelets. Therefore, for ease of reading, the book is divided into three main sections: "Platelet Function" and "Platelet Dysfunction" and "Platelet Application." The authors of each of the focused chapters are leaders in their respective fields. As significant advances continue to develop our thinking of the functional role of platelets in health and disease, this book elevates awareness and enthusiasm in

**Steven W. Kerrigan**

Head of the Cardiovascular Infection Research Group, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences,

Professor,

Dublin, Ireland

further investigating platelet functions.
