Platelet factor 4 (PF4), also known as chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 4 (CXCL4), is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. CXCL4/PF4 is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets and binds with high affinity to heparin. Its major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of heparin-like molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, CXCL4/PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. This protein is released during platelet aggregation. CXCL4/PF4 neutralizes the anticoagulant effect of heparin because it binds more strongly to heparin than to the chondroitin-4-sulfate chains of the carrier molecule. CXCL4 is chemotactic for neutrophils and monocytes. It inhibits endothelial cell proliferation, the short form is a more potent inhibitor than the longer form. CXCL4/PF4 is up-regulated in human liver fibrosis and that it plays a nonredundant, functional role in experimental liver fibrosis by mediating stellate cell proliferation, migration, and intrahepatic immune cell recruitment.
