Kairuki University
Platelets
MD, BScN 1
Mpoki Ulisubisya, MD
Platelets
• Platelets are the smallest and lightest blood cells. They
contain proteins that help them stick to each other and
to breaks in blood vessel walls.
• Small cells (2-4 micrometer in diameter).
• Count – 150,000-400,000 platelets per microliter of blood.
• Life span - about 5-10 days.
• They circulate in the blood in an inactive state
• 60-70% found in the circulation and the remaining in
the spleen
• The formation of platelet thrombocyte is effected by
thrombopoietien
Platelets are made in the bone marrow from megakaryocytes:
1. Stem cells
Bone marrow contains stem cells that develop into platelets, red
blood cells, and white blood cells.
2. Megakaryocyte development
The hormone thrombopoietin (TPO) controls the development of
megakaryocytes.
3. Fragmentation
As megakaryocytes mature, they break down into over 1,000
platelets.
4. Cell fragments
Platelets are pieces of megakaryocytes, they are considered cell
fragments rather than whole cells.
• Their production is regulated by specific CSF
this secreted from fibroblast, endothelial
cells and leukocyte.
• Platelets membranes contains receptors for
• collagen
• von Willebrand factor (vWF),
• important for attachment of platelets to
collagen at sites of blood vessel injury.
• They have a receptors for ADP and
fibrinogen
Platelets
(Thrombocytes)
The cytoplasm contains:
A-actin and myosin (which allow contraction of platelets)
B- granules:
1. Dense granules – non protein substance: serotonin, ADP ,calcium
2. Alpha granules – protein substance : number of clotting factors e.g V,
VIII, PDGF wound healing stimulator , F 13, fibrinogen and Von
Willebrand factor
3. Glycogen granules provide the energy source for platelet
Functions of platelets
Participates in hemostasis by :
1- Vasospasm - release a vasoconstrictor
(serotonin).
2- Platelet plug formation (aggregation of platelets
to close a hole in a blood vessels).
3- Blood coagulation (release some clotting factor,
F 13, F 3 phospholipids).
4- Release of Platelet Derived Growth Factor
[PDGF] for repair of damaged blood vessels
Formation of platelet plug:
3 stages lead to formation of the plug
A. Platelets adhesion
Injury of the vessel wall exposes the collagen
normally covered by the endothelium
A factor produced by the platelets and endothelium is
important for the adhesion( vonWillbrand Factor
(vWF)
The binding of platelets to collagen results in
activation of the platelets
B. Platelets activation:
this results in:
the release of the contents of the
cytoplasmic granules
formation and secretion of Thromboxane A2,
serotonin and ADP
Thromboxane A2 promotes platelets
aggregation and vasoconstriction
C Platelets aggregation:
• The active platelets aggregate together at the side of the
injury
• Serotonin cause vasospasm
• TXA2 and ADP activate platelets to swell and stick to
previous ones and release the same contents, then again
TXA2 and ADP activate other platelets and the cycle
repeated (+ve feedback mechanism)
• The platelet plug is formed within one
min
• It is the primary haemostatic plug
• Platelet aggregation successfully stops
hundreds of small hemorrhages every
day
• Platelets deficiency – Thrombocytopenia – count is less
than 50, 000 platelets per microliter of blood
• Associated with spontaneous bleeding under the skin,
• bleeding tendency and Petechial hemorrhage after minor trauma ,
[Thrombtic Thrombocytopenic purpura]
• Platelets excess - Thrombocytosis - high count platelets –
associated with thrombotic problems