Signaling roles of platelets in skeletal muscle regeneration

Abstract

Platelets have important hemostatic functions in repairing blood vessels upon tissue injury. Cytokines, growth factors, and metabolites stored in platelet α‐granules and dense granules are released upon platelet activation and clotting. Emerging evidence indicates that such platelet‐derived signaling factors are instrumental in guiding tissue regeneration. Here, we discuss the important roles of platelet‐secreted signaling factors in skeletal muscle regeneration. Chemokines secreted by platelets in the early phase after injury are needed to recruit neutrophils to injured muscles, and impeding this early step of muscle regeneration exacerbates inflammation at later stages, compromises neo‐angiogenesis and the growth of newly formed myofibers, and reduces post‐injury muscle force production. Platelets also contribute to the recruitment of pro‐regenerative stromal cells from the adipose tissue, and the platelet releasate may also regulate the metabolism and proliferation of muscle satellite cells, which sustain myogenesis. Therefore, harnessing the signaling functions of platelets and the platelet secretome may provide new avenues for promoting skeletal muscle regeneration in health and disease.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome from current evidence to new diagnostic perspectives through skeletal muscle and metabolic disturbances

“…The authors evidenced improper platelet activation in patients may be associated with muscle fatigue. In fact, platelet‐derived signalling factors are instrumental in guiding tissue regeneration, a process activated in the skeletal muscle after exercise 121 …”

Platelet-Poor versus Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Muscle Injuries

“…Muscle regeneration relies on the microenvironment surrounding satellite cells in the individual damaged muscle fascicle, as well as the macroenvironment perpetuated by the inflammatory cascade initiated from the primary insult to the muscle (25,26). The signaling role that platelets play in this process has made autologous blood product a potentially enticing treatment for these injuries (27). PRP has been studied extensively in cellular and animal models to determine the impact of the product on muscle regeneration.…”