Vena GA, Cassano N, Marzano AV, Asero R. The Role of Platelets in Chronic Urticaria.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2016;
169:71-9. [PMID:
27035367 DOI:
10.1159/000444085]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Platelets are implicated in many pathophysiological processes, including inflammation and immunity. Ever-growing evidence suggests the active involvement of platelets in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders, including cutaneous inflammatory diseases. A limited number of studies have investigated the role of platelets in chronic urticaria (CU). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the role of platelets in chronic spontaneous and inducible urticarias.
METHODS
A literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar, and the references of relevant literature were reviewed.
RESULTS
Overall, in CU patients, conflicting results have been obtained from the assessment of platelet indices, such as mean platelet volume, platelet count and distribution width, as well as markers of platelet aggregation and activation. Nevertheless, a few studies showed significant changes of such parameters in CU patients compared to controls, in apparent correlation with clinical severity, autoreactivity and/or inflammatory status.
CONCLUSIONS
In the absence of definitive conclusions, the pathogenic role of platelets in CU needs to be further explored. Platelets might represent a link between inflammation, coagulation and histamine release in the pathophysiological network of CU.
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