AUTHOR=Le Blanc Jessica , Lordkipanidzé Marie TITLE=Platelet Function in Aging JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine VOLUME=6 YEAR=2019 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2019.00109 DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2019.00109 ISSN=2297-055X ABSTRACT=

Aging is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and thrombosis. Platelets play a major role in maintaining hemostasis and in thrombus formation, making them a key player in thrombotic disorders. Whereas it is well-known that platelet aggregability is increased in vascular diseases, the contribution of age-related changes in platelet biology to cardiovascular risk is not well-understood. Several lines of evidence support that platelets from older subjects differ in their function and structure, making platelets more prone to activation and less sensitive to inhibition. These age-related changes could lead to platelet hyperactivity and to the development of a prothrombotic state in advanced age. This review will focus on platelet biochemical modifications during aging and on the mechanisms by which these alterations could lead to thrombotic disease.