Platelets found to be involved in coagulation and host defense, possibly also in case of coronavirus

Platelets are involved in blood coagulation and the development of thrombosis. Researchers from Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, and Erasmus MC have now discovered that they also play a role in the immune system: They appear to be indispensable in protecting the respiratory system against pathogens. "In patients with flu, the platelets absorb virus particles from the lungs, after which they return to the bloodstream," says lead researcher Erhard van der Vries. This insight is also important for research into coagulation and acute cardiovascular problems in COVID-19 patients, such as strokes and blood clots in the pulmonary vessels.