Figure 4
Platelet vascular and circulating cellular communication by non-protein-dependent mechanisms
Platelets and platelet-like particles (PLPs) have been shown to communicate with vascular cells in several protein-independent manners, specifically through mitochondrial and RNA transfer. RNA can be transferred from platelets to endothelial cells, monocytes, macrophages, and cancer cells. Inversely, RNA can be taken up by platelets from endothelial cells, monocytes, and cancer cells. Mitochondrial transfer from platelets to neutrophils can also occur. Microparticles mediate a significant number of these communication pathways.