Platelets are anucleate cells that are crucial mediators of haemostasis. Most immunologists
probably don't think about platelets every day, and may even consider these cells to
be'nuisances' in certain in vitro studies. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that
platelets have inflammatory functions and can influence both innate and adaptive immune
responses. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which platelets contribute to immunity:
these small cells are more immunologically savvy than we once thought.