PLATELETS IN GLOMERULAR-DISEASE

Platelets are viewed as inflammatory cells and play an important role in hemostasis and wound repair. During activation, platelets secrete a wide variety of products that have multiple effects on target cell be havior during tissue remodeling. Among these secretory products are ch emotactins, growth factors and fibrogenic substances. This review exam ines evidence for a role of platelets in glomerular disease and discus ses mechanisms of how platelet secretory products may alter permselect ivity of the glomerular basement membrane, resulting in enhanced immun e complex localization. Also, platelet secretory products may stimulat e glomerular remodeling after injury through mechanisms involving cell migration, proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis, ultimate ly distorting the normal glomerular architecture and function.