Regulation of Platelet Activation and Coagulation and Its Role in Vascular Injury and Arterial Thrombosis

Abstract

Hemostasis requires tightly regulated interaction of the coagulation system, platelets, blood cells, and vessel wall components at a site of vascular injury. Dysregulation of this response may result in excessive bleeding if the response is impaired, and pathologic thrombosis with vessel occlusion and tissue ischemia if the response is robust. Studies have elucidated the major molecular signaling pathways responsible for platelet activation and aggregation. Antithrombotic agents targeting these pathways are in clinical use. This review summarizes research examining mechanisms by which these multiple platelet signaling pathways are integrated at a site of vascular injury to produce an optimal hemostatic response.

Keywords: Antithrombotic agents; Arterial thrombosis; Coagulation; Hemostasis; Platelet activation; Vascular injury.