Roles of coagulation factor XIII in the functions of blood platelets

Haemostasis is initiated following blood vessel injury to preclude loss of blood. It involves concerted actions of blood platelets and soluble coagulation factors in forming blood clots at sites of vascular injury. Platelets are recruited from flowing blood and become activated to fulfil their haemostatic roles (Marcus, 1969, Ruggeri and Mendolicchio, 2007). Coagulation factors are also spatially activated at these sites where they initiate, promote or reinforce platelet activity (Heemskerk et al., 2002). Interactions between these two elements of the haemostatic machinery enhance clot formation and stabilisation. Although platelets provide an essential defence against life-threatening haemorrhage, their superfluous or unregulated activation can also lead to pathological outcomes (Ruggeri, 2002). For instance, chronic vascular damage sustained in atherosclerosis results in platelet-mediated vascular occlusion (Ross, 1986). The consequent restriction of blood supply to organs and tissues results in ischemia, which leads to myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke when the heart and brain are affected respectively. This chapter will review literature forming the basis of current understanding of platelet biology, coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) function and known interactions between the two.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Hull York Medical School, the University of Hull and the University of York

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Magwenzi, Simbarashe G.

• Medicine

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:hull-repository.worktribe.com:4211076

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:hull-repository.worktribe.com:4211076