This Research Topic is the second volume of the “Innate Immunity: Platelets and their Interaction with other Cellular Elements in Host Defense and Disease Pathogenesis” Community Series. Please see volume I here.
Innate immunity refers to non-specific recognition of non-self or self-components leading to the holistic activation of the immune system, resulting in the clearance of foreign particles, which at times can result in adverse pathological manifestations in the host. Megakaryocyte-derived platelets are a key component of blood, playing a critical role in immune responses via secretion of active mediators. The ability of enucleated platelets to cross-talk with immune cells, contributing to innate immune responses, is attributed to the expression of membrane proteins, storage granules, and a plethora of megakaryocyte-derived molecules. Aside from releasing granular mediators, activated platelets also release tiny particles called platelet microvesicles, which take up the role of platelets to a larger extent, and enhance the inflammatory responses by communicating with immune cells and several other cellular elements in the host.
Innate immunity is crucial for effectively clearing microbial agents from the host. Platelets play a vital role in this process by trapping intruders through clotting, preventing their further spread. While primarily known as mediators of hemostasis and thrombosis, their complexity in host immunity remains underexplored due to their short lifespan and multifunctional nature, including wound healing.
As first-line defenders, platelets interact with other cellular elements to trigger direct and indirect immune responses. Despite their importance, the mechanisms of how platelets and other components influence the immune system are not fully understood. This Research Topic aims to bridge these gaps by highlighting recent advances in platelet immunology.
Our collection aims to clarify how platelets contribute to host immunity and to highlight recent advances in platelet immunology. We seek submissions, including Reviews and Original Research, on:
• Mechanism and sources of platelet activation
• Platelets and cellular components in defense mechanisms
• Impact of activated platelets in infections
• Platelet activation against viruses
• Platelets in immune-mediated diseases
• Platelet microvesicles as immune mediators
• Platelets’ roles in inflammatory responses
• Functional roles in allergies and autoimmune diseases
• Interactions with complement mediators
By exploring these areas, we aim to deepen the understanding of platelets' roles in health and immunity.
Keywords: Innate Immunity, Platelets, Cell-cell interactions, Platelet microparticles, Activated platelets, Mechanism of action of platelets, Host defense, inflammatory responses, Autoimmune diseases, Viral infections, Bacterial infections
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
