Platelet Activation Inhibitory Signaling

Overview of Inhibitory Signaling in Platelets

Unrestricted platelet activation can lead to life threatening thrombosis. In order to maintain control of this process, multiple steps in the platelet activation are regulated by cell surface receptors that block activation signals and by receptors that induce both activating and inhibitory signaling. Healthy vascular endothelial cells release nitric oxide and prostaglandin I2 (prostacyclin) into the blood where they maintain platelet quiescence by blocking granule release and integrin activation.