Interactions between platelets and leukocytes during hemodialysis.

The formation of platelet-leukocyte microaggregates has been observed in a variety of conditions. When platelets and leukocytes coaggregate, in general, a reciprocal activation occurs when both cells are activated, and the interactions between activated platelets and leukocytes may be relevant in both hemostasis and inflammatory processes. The study of platelet-leukocyte interactions in hemodialysis offers the novel aspect of cellular-cellular interaction as a new parameter for evaluating the biocompatibility of dialyzer membranes. This article reviews the investigations of the interactions between platelets and leukocytes during hemodialysis and the pathophysiologic implications which may stem from such interactions.