Scientists in Bonn Discover How Platelets Help White Blood Cells Fight Infections
Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn have made an important discovery about how platelets, also known as thrombocytes, interact with monocytes, a type of white blood cell. This interaction increases the inflammatory capabilities of monocytes, which are crucial for a strong immune response.
Monocytes are white blood cells that play a key role in the immune system by producing cytokines, which are inflammatory messengers. However, abnormal activity of monocytes can lead to severe inflammation or immune paralysis, where the immune system cannot fight off infections effectively.
Prof. Dr. Bernardo Franklin from the Institute of Innate Immunity at the UKB and the University of Bonn explained that understanding how monocytes are regulated is crucial. His team found that platelets help regulate monocyte function by sending pro-inflammatory signals to them. This discovery could lead to new treatments for immune disorders and related diseases.
The study, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, shows that a low platelet count or the removal of platelets can lead to immune paralysis. However, adding fresh platelets can restore the monocyte’s ability to produce cytokines. This finding suggests potential new therapies for conditions like immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and other inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Ibrahim Hawwari, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Bonn, and Lukas Rossnagel, a PhD student, also contributed to the study. They discovered that platelet vesicles help in the communication between platelets and monocytes, maintaining the monocytes’ inflammatory capacity.
Prof. Franklin hopes that this new understanding of platelet-monocyte interactions will lead to improved treatments for immune disorders and related diseases.
