On the Role of Platelet-Generated Amyloid Beta Peptides in Certain Amyloidosis Health Complications

As do many other immunity-related blood cells, platelets release antimicrobial peptides that kill bacteria, fungi, and even certain viruses. Here we review the literature suggesting that there is a similarity between the antimicrobials released by other blood cells and the amyloid-related A beta peptide released by platelets. Analyzing the literature, we also propose that platelet-generated A beta amyloidosis may be more common than currently recognized. This systemic A beta from a platelet source may participate in various forms of amyloidosis in pathologies ranging from brain cancer, glaucoma, skin A beta accumulation, and preeclampsia to Alzheimer's disease and late-stage Parkinson's disease. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of specific animal models for studying platelet-related A beta. This field is undergoing rapid change, as it evaluates competing ideas in the light of new experimental observations. We summarized both in order to clarify the role of platelet-generated A beta peptides in amyloidosis-related health disorders, which may be helpful to researchers interested in this growing area of investigation.