platelet programmed cell death tagged posts

On left is an activated “ordinary” platelet (scanning electron microscope image), the right — “super-activated” (procoagulant) platelet (transmission electron microscope image).

Scientists have discovered the mechanism of the platelet programmed cell death, resulting in acceleration of the blood coagulation process by a factor of 1,000 to 10,000. Platelets are small anucleated blood cells responsible for stopping bleeding. They detect blood vessel damage and agglutinate, creating aggregates and stopping the blood loss. This process is called hemostasis (from the Greek “haimatos” – blood, “stasis” – stop). Platelets become able to aggregate and plug the wound upon activation...