title: A critical role of platelet adhesion in the initiation of atherosclerotic lesion formation.
abstract: The contribution of platelets to the process of atherosclerosis remains unclear. Here, we show in vivo that platelets adhere to the vascular endothelium of the carotid artery in ApoE(-)(/)(-) mice before the development of manifest atherosclerotic lesions. Platelet-endothelial cell interaction involved both platelet glycoprotein (GP)Ibalpha and GPIIb-IIIa. Platelet adhesion to the endothelium coincides with inflammatory gene expression and preceded atherosclerotic plaque invasion by leukocytes. Prolonged blockade of platelet adhesion in ApoE(-)(/)(-) mice profoundly reduced leukocyte accumulation in the arterial intima and attenuated atherosclerotic lesion formation in the carotid artery bifurcation, the aortic sinus, and the coronary arteries. These findings establish the platelet as a major player in initiation of the atherogenetic process.
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Herzzentrum und 1. Medizinische Klinik, Technische Universität München, Germany. massberg@dhm.mhn.de
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Massberg
authors.forename: Korbinian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grüner
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Page
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bergmeier
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: Ildiko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Konrad
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nieswandt
authors.forename: Meinrad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gawaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness / Q000502:physiology*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D039481:CD11b Antigen; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex