Platelet activating factor receptor-mediated activities

The formation of a platelet aggregate requires the recruitment of additional platelets from the blood stream to the injured vessel wall. This process is executed through a variety of diffusible mediators which act through G-protein-coupled receptors. The main mediators involved in this process are adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thromboxane A2 (TXA2), and thrombin (factor Ila). These mediators of the second phase of platelet activation are formed in different ways. While ADP is secreted from platelets by exocytosis, the release of TXA2 follows its new formation in activated platelets. Thrombin can be formed on the surface of activated platelets (see Fig. 2). 

These cells respond to a number of different chemoattractants which have specific and distinct receptors on the membrane surface (for recent reviews see Refs. 3 and 4). Such chemoattractants include N-formylpeptides, which are bacterial peptides, and mediators of inflammation such as leukotriene B4, C5a, and platelet activating factor. 

P2Y receptors that are found on endothelial cells elicit a Ca2+-dependent release of endothelium-dependent relaxing factor (EDRF) and vasodilation. A secondary activation of a Ca2+-sensitive phospholipase A2 increases the synthesis of endothelial prostacyclin, which limits the extent of intravascular platelet aggregation following vascular damage and platelet stimulation. The P2Y-mediated vasodilation opposes a vasoconstriction evoked by P2X receptors located on vascular smooth muscle cells. The latter elicit an endothelial-independent excitation (i.e. constriction). P2Y receptors are also found on adrenal chromaffin cells and platelets, where they modulate catecholamine release and aggregation respectively. 

Ishii S., Nagase T., and Shimizu T. (2002). Platelet-activating factor receptor. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat. 68-69 599-609. 

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