title: Role of platelets in the development of atherosclerosis.
abstract: Platelets are blood cell fragments that originate from the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow and circulate in blood to play a major role in the hemostatic process and in thrombus formation after an endothelial injury. Recent studies have provided insight into platelet functions in inflammation and atherosclerosis. A range of molecules, present on the platelet surface and/or stored in platelet granules, contributes to the cross-talk of platelets with other inflammatory cells during the vascular inflammation involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. This review discusses the nature of these molecules and the mechanisms involved in the participation of platelets in atherosclerosis, with emphasis on P-selectin, platelet-monocyte interactions, chemokines, and inflammatory cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia Health Science Center, Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. yh3s@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Yuqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.forename: Klaus F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Ley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000473:pathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D015539:Platelet Activation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D019007:P-Selectin