Platelets and Liver Regeneration

Platelets contain growth factors and cytokines such as hepatocyte growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, serotonin, insulin-growth factor-1, transforming growth factor-α, endothelial growth factor, sphingosine 1-phosphate, etc. Platelets are activated by various types of stimulation and release these physiologically active substances depending on each context. In addition to primary roles as hemostasis and thrombosis, recent studies have reported the roles of platelets on promoting liver regeneration, improving liver fibrosis, and attenuating liver damage. In this article, we reviewed the recent advances in knowledge of the role of platelets in accelerating liver regeneration.