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The Molecular Role of Platelets in Human Diseases
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The Molecular Role of Platelets in Human Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 2219

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Lukasz Szarpak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Clinical Research and Development, LUXMED Group, Warsaw, Poland
2. Henry JN Taub Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
Interests: emergency medicine; critical care; anesthesiology; research outcomes; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Michał Pruc

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Research and Development, LUX MED Group, 02-678 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: biomarkers; cardiovascular disease; anesthesiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Platelets are vital for maintaining the integrity of blood vessel walls as they regulate bleeding and the formation of blood clots. Secretory platelets discharge substances from storage granules, biomediators, and membrane vesicles. This release impacts both typical and atypical pathophysiological mechanisms. Platelets, however, assimilate plasma and cellular components, thereby impacting their ability to respond. Examining platelet function and identifying the cells and molecules that regulate their activation and aggregation in blood vessels is crucial for understanding the protective or damaging impact of platelets on organisms. Recent advances in the study of platelet biology have uncovered the role of platelets in the development of different diseases, going beyond just blood clotting disorders. Platelets have a dual function as both agents and recipients in the development of diseases. This offers a favorable prospect for clinical applications that enable the detection and quantification of distinct platelet components as innovative biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions in various pathological conditions.

In this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, entitled "The Molecular Role of Platelets in Human Diseases", we strongly encourage authors to submit original articles and reviews that are relevant to, but not restricted to, the following subjects: 

  • Platelets as novel biomarkers and targets for human diseases; 
  • The relationship between platelets and cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, infection, neurodegeneration, and other diseases; 
  • Innovative treatment approaches for diseases related to platelets.

Prof. Dr. Lukasz Szarpak
Dr. Michał Pruc
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • platelet
  • biomarkers
  • platelet membrane proteins
  • platelet-derived microparticles
  • platelet-related diseases
  • thrombosis
  • inflammatory diseases
  • cardiovascular disease
  • cancer
  • tumor growth and metastasis

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
Platelet-Related Biomarkers and Efficacy of Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Aortic Stenosis and Coronary Artery Disease
by Paweł Bańka, Kinga Czepczor, Maciej Podolski, Agnieszka Kosowska, Wojciech Garczorz, Tomasz Francuz, Maciej Wybraniec and Katarzyna Mizia-Stec
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7083; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157083 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 103
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum biomarkers implicated in the interaction of platelets and endothelium, as well as the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 78 adult [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum biomarkers implicated in the interaction of platelets and endothelium, as well as the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 78 adult patients with CAD on aspirin therapy participated in this study, including 49 consecutive patients with AS and 29 control subjects. The analysis included the following serum biomarkers: thrombomodulin (TM), platelet factor 4 (PF4), P-selectin, and CD40L. The efficacy of antiplatelet treatment was evaluated using the VerifyNow Aspirin test (ASPI test) and P2Y12 assay test (ADP test). Patients with AS exhibited increased serum levels of TM (7.64 ± 3.5 ng/mL vs. 6.28 ± 2.1 ng/mL, p = 0.011) and PF4 (25.16; Q1: 8.3; Q3: 29.6 μg/mL vs. 12.85; Q1: 5.7; Q3: 14.5 μg/mL, p = 0.021) compared to the control group. P-selectin and CD40L levels did not differ between groups. There were no significant differences in platelet aggregation in the ASPI (474.04 ± 66.7 ARU vs. 471.31 ± 56.2 ARU; p = 0.822) or ADP (224.88 ± 46.4 PRU vs. 216.62 ± 29.6 PRU; p = 0.394) tests. Bleeding incidence did not differ significantly between groups. The coexistence of AS in patients with CAD is associated with elevated levels of the aforementioned biomarkers, which are indicative of endothelial damage and platelet activation. However, the efficacy of antiplatelet treatment was independent of the presence of AS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Molecular Role of Platelets in Human Diseases)
23 pages, 2202 KiB  
Article
Afucosylated IgG Promote Thrombosis in Mouse Injected with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Expressing Megakaryocytes
by Meryem Mabrouk, Farah Atifi, Hicham Wahnou, Afaf Allaoui, Nabil Zaid, Abdallah Naya, Ejaife O. Agbani, Loubna Khalki, Meriem Khyatti, Youssef Tijani, Khadija Akarid, Damien Arnoult, Haissam Abou-Saleh, Othman El Faqer, Salma Labied, Mounia Ammara, Fadila Guessous, Farid Jalali and Younes Zaid
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(14), 7002; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26147002 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 278
Abstract
Despite the prevalence of fucosylated IgG in plasma, specific IgGs with low core fucosylation sporadically emerge in response to virus infections and blood cell alloantigens. This low fucosylation of IgG is implicated in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and dengue infections. In COVID-19, the [...] Read more.
Despite the prevalence of fucosylated IgG in plasma, specific IgGs with low core fucosylation sporadically emerge in response to virus infections and blood cell alloantigens. This low fucosylation of IgG is implicated in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and dengue infections. In COVID-19, the presence of IgGs with low core fucosylation (afucosylated IgGs) targeting spike protein predicts disease progression to a severe form and actively mediates this progression. This study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection of megakaryocytes promotes the generation of pathogenic afucosylated anti-spike IgGs, leading to outcomes, such as pulmonary vascular thrombosis, acute lung injury, and mortality in FcγRIIa-transgenic mice. Platelets from mice injected with virus-infected human megakaryocytes express significant activation biomarkers, indicating a direct link between the immune response and platelet activation. Mice injected with virus-infected human megakaryocytes demonstrate an elevated rate of thrombus formation induced by FeCl3 (4%) and a reduction in bleeding time, emphasizing the intricate interplay of viral infection, immune response, and hemostatic complications. Treatment with inhibitors targeting FcγRIIa, serotonin, or complement anaphylatoxins of mice injected with spike-expressing MKs successfully prevents observed platelet activation, thrombus formation, and bleeding abnormalities, offering potential therapeutic strategies for managing severe outcomes associated with afucosylated IgGs in COVID-19 and related disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Molecular Role of Platelets in Human Diseases)
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Review

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15 pages, 2844 KiB  
Review
The Diagnostic Role of the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Magdalena Bizon, Maciej Olszewski, Boguslawa Krason, Elzbieta Kochanowicz, Kamil Safiejko, Anna Borowka, Joanna Sekita-Krzak, Michal Pruc, Anna Drozd, Stepan Feduniw, Basar Cander and Lukasz Szarpak
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 1841; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26051841 - 21 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1160
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is among the most lethal gynecologic malignancies, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to a lack of effective screening tools. Recent studies suggest that the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), an indicator of systemic inflammation, may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosing [...] Read more.
Ovarian cancer is among the most lethal gynecologic malignancies, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to a lack of effective screening tools. Recent studies suggest that the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), an indicator of systemic inflammation, may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosing and staging ovarian cancer. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. We searched the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. We pooled data using a random-effects model to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic performance of PLR in ovarian cancer. The meta-analysis of 22 studies comprising 5740 participants showed significantly elevated platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values in ovarian cancer patients compared to healthy controls, with a mean difference of 46.84 (p < 0.001). Additionally, PLR demonstrated utility in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions and early-stage from advanced-stage ovarian cancer. While PLR shows potential as a cost-effective and accessible biomarker for ovarian cancer diagnosis and staging, its diagnostic accuracy remains moderate. Therefore, combining PLR with other diagnostic tools enhances clinical decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Molecular Role of Platelets in Human Diseases)
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