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Scientists from Germany discovered a new, previously unknown function of platelets
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists from Germany managed to find a new, previously unknown function of platelets. As it turned out, these cells, in addition to participating in the formation of a blood clot, are actively involved in the immune system.
This conclusion researchers made as a result of the observation of the body of mice, which were previously injected with the causative agent of listeria monocytogenes (Listeria monocytogenes). Scientists have seen that after entering the body, the causative agent of listeriosis primarily contacts platelets that "envelop" it and transport it to the spleen., Where the transfer of antigen information to dendritic cells occurs, forming a full-fledged immune response.
When studying biochemical processes, it appeared that the adhesion of platelets to bacteria occurs with the participation of GPIb receptors interacting with the components of the complement system, in particular with the C3 protein.
When Listeria monocytogenes were introduced to mice without the C3 gene, the platelet response to the antigen invasion was not observed, and other immune cells, macrophages, participated in the attack of the bacteria. But, in this case, scientists did not observe the formation of acquired immunity to listeriosis, since dendritic cells are responsible for this process.
According to German scientists, this discovery can be used to increase the effectiveness of new vaccines.
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