No abstract

Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis and the immune response, mainly by recognizing signals associated with vascular damage. However, it has recently been discovered that the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 activates platelets in functions related to thrombus formation and inflammation. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the effect of LL-37 on the activation of antimicrobial functions of human platelets. Our results show that platelets treated with LL-37 increase the surface expression of receptors (Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 and -4, CD32, CD206, Dectin-1, CD35, LOX-1, CD41, CD62P, and αIIbβ3 integrins) for the recognition of microorganisms, and molecules related to antigen presentation to T lymphocytes (CD80, CD86, and HLA-ABC) secrete the antimicrobial molecules: bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), azurocidin, human neutrophil peptide (HNP) -1, and myeloperoxidase. They also translate azurocidin, and have enhanced binding to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Furthermore, the supernatant of LL-37-treated platelets can inhibit E. coli growth, or platelets can employ their LL-37 to inhibit microbial growth. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that LL-37 participates in the antimicrobial function of human platelets.

The immune response against SARS-CoV-2 is similar to that against other viruses, where the innate immune system acts at early stages through the secretion of type 1 interferon (type 1 IFN), which prevents viral replication and the activation of natural killer (NK) cells. Later, the adaptive immune system acts through CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and antibody production, which aim to destroy infected cells and block viral entry into cells. All the above leads to the elimination of the virus and mild symptomatology. However, in individuals with a weakened immune system, the viral infection spreads and leads to a potent inflammatory response, which leads to the recruitment of immune cells to the lungs, where they can cause severe pulmonary and even systemic pathology.