{"title":"Platelets as evolution's answer to BOTH haemorrhage and infection.","authors":"Gerard Gurumurthy, Jecko Thachil","doi":"10.1016/j.jtha.2025.09.002","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Haemorrhage and infections have remained substantial causes of mortality and morbidity throughout history. Platelets are classically known for their role in thrombosis. However, our recent understanding has revealed their role in innate immunity. This historical sketch explores the evolutionary origins of platelets through the concept of immunothrombosis. We trace the emergence of haemocytes in invertebrates, the development of thrombocytes in early vertebrates, and the eventual rise of anucleate platelets in mammals. Mammalian platelet fragments retain immune capabilities alongside their clotting abilities. These include pathogen sensing, antimicrobial peptide release, and coordination with leukocytes. Evolutionary pressures may have shaped blood-based systems that rapidly respond to both vascular injury and microbial invasion. We argue that platelets represent an elegant solution to the evolution's threats of haemorrhage and infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":17326,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtha.2025.09.002","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"HEMATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Haemorrhage and infections have remained substantial causes of mortality and morbidity throughout history. Platelets are classically known for their role in thrombosis. However, our recent understanding has revealed their role in innate immunity. This historical sketch explores the evolutionary origins of platelets through the concept of immunothrombosis. We trace the emergence of haemocytes in invertebrates, the development of thrombocytes in early vertebrates, and the eventual rise of anucleate platelets in mammals. Mammalian platelet fragments retain immune capabilities alongside their clotting abilities. These include pathogen sensing, antimicrobial peptide release, and coordination with leukocytes. Evolutionary pressures may have shaped blood-based systems that rapidly respond to both vascular injury and microbial invasion. We argue that platelets represent an elegant solution to the evolution's threats of haemorrhage and infection.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (JTH) serves as the official journal of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. It is dedicated to advancing science related to thrombosis, bleeding disorders, and vascular biology through the dissemination and exchange of information and ideas within the global research community.
Types of Publications:
The journal publishes a variety of content, including:
Original research reports
State-of-the-art reviews
Brief reports
Case reports
Invited commentaries on publications in the Journal
Forum articles
Correspondence
Announcements
Scope of Contributions:
Editors invite contributions from both fundamental and clinical domains. These include:
Basic manuscripts on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis
Studies on proteins and reactions related to thrombosis and haemostasis
Research on blood platelets and their interactions with other biological systems, such as the vessel wall, blood cells, and invading organisms
Clinical manuscripts covering various topics including venous thrombosis, arterial disease, hemophilia, bleeding disorders, and platelet diseases
Clinical manuscripts may encompass etiology, diagnostics, prognosis, prevention, and treatment strategies.
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