title: Correlation between plasma levels of growth factors and von Willebrand factor.
abstract: Intimal proliferation of smooth muscle cells is an important characteristic of developing atherosclerotic lesions and late occlusion of venous bypass grafts. Platelet-derived growth factor, released from aggregating platelets at sites of endothelial injury, has been suggested as a main factor responsible for intimal hyperplasia. The von Willebrand factor is a platelet binding protein secreted by endothelial cells and increased plasma levels of this factor has been identified as a marker of endothelial injury. In the present study we have analysed plasma levels of von Willebrand factor and growth factors in healthy controls, young post-infarction patients and patients with recent coronary bypass surgery. The results demonstrate a significant correlation between plasma growth factor activity and the level of von Willebrand factor (R = 0.52, p less than 0.01) and support the notion of a coupling between endothelial injury and release of platelets mitogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Karolinska Instituet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elgue
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wallin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamsten
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blombck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015849:Plasminogen Inactivators; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000097:blood; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D015849:Plasminogen Inactivators; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D004247:DNA