Platelet Dynamics in Liver Regeneration and Disease
Summary
Platelets, traditionally regarded as mediators of haemostasis, have emerged as central players in liver physiology and pathology. In the context of acute liver injury or partial hepatectomy, platelets adhere to sinusoidal endothelium and release a repertoire of growth factors such as hepatocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and serotonin, which collectively stimulate hepatocyte proliferation. Their interactions with liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells amplify paracrine angiocrine signals that accelerate tissue repair. Conversely, in chronic liver disease, platelets contribute to fibrogenesis by activating hepatic stellate cells through delivery of transforming growth factor-β and platelet-derived growth factor, promoting extracellular matrix deposition. They also modulate immune cell recruitment, influencing inflammatory cascades in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and viral hepatitis. In advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia arises from impaired thrombopoietin production and splenic sequestration, further complicating regenerative capacity. Clinically, manipulation of platelet count or function—from transfusion of platelet-rich plasma to targeted antiplatelet therapy—holds promise for enhancing regeneration or limiting fibrotic progression. A nuanced understanding of platelet heterogeneity and granule content is essential to harness their dualistic nature for therapeutic benefit.
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Platelet Dynamics in Liver Regeneration and Disease publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in platelet dynamics in liver regeneration and disease across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Hepatocyte: Parenchymal liver cell responsible for metabolic and synthetic functions.
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC): Specialized endothelial cell lining hepatic sinusoids, key in filtration and angiocrine signalling.
Kupffer cell: Resident liver macrophage involved in immune surveillance and cytokine production.
Hepatic stellate cell: Perisinusoidal cell that, upon activation, secretes extracellular matrix leading to fibrosis.
Thrombopoietin: Hepatic hormone regulating platelet production by stimulating megakaryocyte maturation.
Platelet-rich plasma: Concentrated suspension of autologous platelets used to deliver growth factors to injured tissue.
Angiocrine factors: Endothelial-derived signals that instruct organ regeneration and tissue homeostasis.
References
- Platelets: No longer bystanders in liver disease. Hepatology (2016).
- Platelets prime hematopoietic–vascular niche to drive angiocrine-mediated liver regeneration. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (2017).
- Macrophages and platelets in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Frontiers in Immunology (2023).
- Platelets in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022).
- Till Death Do Us Part—The Multifaceted Role of Platelets in Liver Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
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