Inhibition of platelet aggregation by activation of platelet intermediate conductance Ca -activated potassium channels.

Background: Within the vasculature platelets and endothelial cells play crucial roles in hemostasis and thrombosis. Platelets, like endothelial cells, possess intermediate conductance Ca -activated K (IK ) channels and generate nitric oxide (NO). Although NO limits platelet aggregation, the role of IK channels in platelet function and NO generation has not yet been explored.

Platelets stimulate programmed death-ligand 1 expression by cancer cells: Inhibition by anti-platelet drugs.

Background: Platelets facilitate hematogenous metastasis in part by promoting cancer cell immunoevasion, although our understanding of platelet function in modulating the adaptive immune system in cancer is limited. A major negative regulator of the adaptive response is the immune checkpoint protein Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1).

Objectives: As platelets secrete factors that may increase PD-L1 expression, we investigated whether they up-regulate cancer cell PD-L1, thus promoting immunoevasion, and whether common anti-platelet drugs inhibit this process.

Potential Antimigraine Effects of Warfarin: An Exploration of Biological Mechanism with Survey of Patients.

Case reports suggest a link between anticoagulant use and improved migraine symptoms, and a role for platelet-induced cerebral vasoconstriction in migraine pathobiology. Hence, we investigated the mechanism by which warfarin may affect migraine symptoms and whether there is a change in migraine symptomology in patients initiating oral anticoagulants, most commonly warfarin. The effects of warfarin on human platelet aggregation and secretion as well as platelet-induced rat cerebral artery vasoconstriction were studied.

Differential eNOS-signalling by platelet subpopulations regulates adhesion and aggregation.

Aims: In addition to maintaining haemostasis, circulating blood platelets are the cellular culprits that form occlusive thrombi in arteries and veins. Compared to blood leucocytes, which exist as functionally distinct subtypes, platelets are considered to be relatively simple cell fragments that form vascular system plugs without a differentially regulated cellular response. Hence, investigation into platelet subpopulations with distinct functional roles in haemostasis/thrombosis has been limited.