[Frontiers in Bioscience 14, 2432-2447, January 1, 2009]

Life span of monocytes and platelets: importance of interactions

Stefan Reuter1, Detlef Lang1,2

1Universitaet Muenster, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik D, Experimentelle Nephrologie, Domagkstrasse 3a, 48149 Muenster, Germany, 2Dialyezentrum Nordhorn, Osnabrueckerstrasse 1, 48529 Nordhorn, Germany

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Mphi
3.1. The mononuclear phagocyte system
3.2. Phagocytosis
3.2.1. Regulation of phagocytosis 3.2.2. Phagocytosis in inflammation and wound healing
3.2.3. Phagocytosis in human disease 3.3. Local proliferation and (trans-) differentiation
3.4. Apoptosis
4. Platelets
4.1. Platelet regulation of clot formation
4.2. Survival and death
4.3. Phagocytosis of platelets
5. Further Interactions
6. Conclusions and perspectives
7. Acknowledgments
8. References

1. ABSTRACT

Monocytes interact and cross-talk with platelets in many settings including inflammation, hemeostasis, or vascular disorders. These interactions are important for the regulation of life span of both. During inflammatory diseases, there is a rapid targeting of monocytes and platelets to points of inflammation and endothelial injury where they lie side-by-side. Adherence between monocytes/macrophages (Mphi) and platelets occur in the vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaque, but it is also shown in the blood stream where it has been called platelet satellitism. This phenomenon has been attributed to thrombotic disorders such as stroke. Furthermore, we discovered consequences for leukocyte apoptosis after the interaction with platelets. Herein, we reviewed the complex mechanism and interactions regulating the life span of both types of blood cells. We also provide a distinct focus on apoptosis of platelets and Mphi.