The angiogenic role of platelets in the physiologic, pathologic, and tumorigenic conditions

Platelets are known as the smallest cells in the blood cells with a key role in homeostasis and blood coagulation. Today, by increasing the clinical studies, the role of platelets in angiogenesis and pathological conditions such as tumorigenesis has been considered.

In this narrative review article, different articles were searched in the PubMed and Google scholar databases and Google search engine using proper key words. By reviewing 121 articles related to platelets, angiogenesis, and tumorgenesis in recent years, the role of platelets in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis was evaluated.

Platelets are the source of vesicles, granules and growth factors, adhesion molecules and receptors, MicroRNA that are released after platelet activation. Platelets have both types of angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis factors that act depending on the type of stimuli. On the other hand, these factors can be modified under stressful environmental conditions such as tumor formation and can increase the tumor growth and metastasis.

Conclusions:

  Considering the function of platelets in homeostasis, coagulation, inflammation, repair, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis and by understanding their regulation mechanisms in the formation of vessels and development of tumors, they can be used in the development and improvement of  the therapeutic methods related to angiogenesis diseases.