Molecular mechanisms of immunoreceptors in platelets

Background: The main role of platelets is to control haemostasis when there is a blood vessel injury in order to minimise blood loss at the injury site. Under normal circumstances, platelets flow freely within blood vessels as the endothelial cells provide a non-adhesion surface. Naturally, bioactive mediators are released from endothelial cells to prevent and control platelet activation. However, when the vascular endothelium is ruptured, the local concentration of nitric oxide and prostaglandin is diminished and receptors containing a sequence of amino acids known as, immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motifs (ITIMs), serve as natural inhibitors within platelets. The main role of ITIMs is to decrease immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) signalling in platelets; however, some studies have revealed their novel role in integrin αIIbβ3 activation. This review highlights the main structural and functional features of immunoreceptors in platelets.