Platelets

Platelets form a heterogenous population of sizes and functions, the balance of which is important for maintaining haemostasis. Recent work has shown that a key influence in these differences may be platelet age. In this regard, platelet ageing can be defined in two ways, firstly the age of the circulating platelet following its release from the parent megakaryocyte, or alternatively, the function of platelets in aged people. Both definitions are important for our understanding of platelet physiology and platelet contribution to pathology.

There are associations between platelet age and disease. The breadth of research being performed in this area is large, however the nomenclature to define parameters associated with platelet age are varying including, young/old, immature/mature, reticulated/non-reticulated. This collection will allow us to understand the important factors governing platelet ageing and the functions of platelets in people as they age, and their contributions to changes in platelet function in disease.

This collection will highlight the importance of circulating platelet age in health and disease, as well as platelet function in ageing people. Subtopics will cover:

• Platelet function in aged populations
• Platelet ageing in the physiological circulation.
• Platelet ageing in pathological conditions including cardiovascular disease, inflammation, diabetes mellitus and cancer

Harriet is a British Heart Foundation Immediate Fellow with an in interest in mitochondrial function and dynamics in the context of platelet ageing and megakaryocyte biology.

Paul is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Trauma Sciences at Queen Mary University of London and Honorary Consultant Trauma Surgeon at the Royal London Hospital. His research interest is post-injury platelet biology, specifically the mechanisms by which platelets and megakaryocytes respond to tissue damage, and the implications for recovery after injury.

Tim is a pharmacologist and Professor of Vascular Inflammation at Queen Mary University of London. His most recent studies have focussed particularly upon the ways the functions of platelets change as they age within the circulation. He has also conducted numerous studies into the roles of different enzyme pathways in the formation of vasoactive mediators such as prostaglandin I₂, thromboxane A₂ and nitric oxide in blood vessels and blood cells, related to the control of platelet reactivity within the circulation and the mechanisms of actions of anti-platelet drugs.

Dr. Allan, Dr. Vulliamy, and Prof. Warner declares no conflict of interest.

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