Platelets: A Practical Approach

Platelets play an essential role in blood clotting at sites of wound injury, but unwanted activation of platelets in the circulation can give rise to thrombus formation, and is implicated in the onset of stroke, myocardial infarction, and other diseases. Platelets are also one of the major model systems for the study of signal transduction.
This book is a comprehensive and up-to-date practical guide to research on platelets. Each chapter, written by experts in the field, contains detailed protocols, illustrative results, tips and hints for success, and key literature citations. Topics covered include: platelet preparation; monitoring platelet aggregation and secretion; megakaryocyte differentiation; preparation and uses of semipermeabilized platelets; monitoring calcium; identification and characterization of platelet glycoproteins (including the use of PCR); analysis of cell-surface antigens; the role of the cytoskeleton in platelet function; measurement of protein serine/threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation, kinase activity, cyclic nucleotides and G protein function; analysis of phospholipid metabolism, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy studies; clinical aspects of platelet function; platelet procoagulant activity; and studies of platelet function in species other than man.

Platelets play an essential role in blood clotting at sites of wound injury, but unwanted activation of platelets in the circulation can give rise to thrombus formation, and is implicated in the onset of stroke, myocardial infarction, and other diseases. Platelets are also one of the major model systems for the study of signal transduction. This book is a comprehensive and up-to-date practical guide to research on platelets. Each chapter, written by experts in the field, contains detailed protocols, illustrative results, tips and hints for success, and key literature citations. Topics covered include: platelet preparation; monitoring platelet aggregation and secretion; megakaryocyte differentiation; preparation and uses of semipermeabilized platelets; monitoring calcium; identification and characterization of platelet glycoproteins (including the use of PCR); analysis of cell-surface antigens; the role of the cytoskeleton in platelet function; measurement of protein serine/threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation, kinase activity, cyclic nucleotides and G protein function; analysis of phospholipid metabolism, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy studies; clinical aspects of platelet function; platelet procoagulant activity; and studies of platelet function in species other than man.