Platelet and extracellular vesicles in COVID-19 infection and its vaccines

Transfus Apher Sci. 2022 Jun;61(3):103459. doi: 10.1016/j.transci.2022.103459. Epub 2022 May 21.

Abstract

Platelets are at the crossroads between thrombosis and inflammation. When activated, platelets can shed bioactive extracellular vesicles [pEVs] that share the hemostatic potential of their parent cells and act as bioactive shuttles of their granular contents. In a viral infection, platelets are activated, and pEVs are generated with occasional virion integration. Both platelets and pEVs are engaged in a bidirectional interaction with neutrophils and other cells of the immune system and the hemostatic pathways. Severe COVID-19 infection is characterized by a stormy thromboinflammatory response with platelets and their EVs at the center stage of this reaction. This review sheds light on the interactions of platelets, pEVS and SARS-CoV-2 infection and prognostic and potential therapeutic role of pEVs. The review also describes the role of pEVs in the rare adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccine-induced thrombosis thrombocytopenia.

Keywords: COVID-19; Extracellular vesicles; Microparticles; Platelets; SARS-CoV-2; VITT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19*
  • Extracellular Vesicles* / metabolism
  • Hemostatics* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Thrombosis*

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Hemostatics