title: Platelets in inflammation and atherogenesis.
abstract: Platelets represent an important linkage between inflammation, thrombosis, and atherogenesis. Inflammation is characterized by interactions among platelets, leukocytes, and ECs. These interactions trigger autocrine and paracrine activation processes that lead to leukocyte recruitment into the vascular wall. Platelet-induced chronic inflammatory processes at the vascular wall result in development of atherosclerotic lesions and atherothrombosis. This Review highlights the molecular machinery and inflammatory pathways used by platelets to initiate and accelerate atherothrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik III, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. meinrad.gawaz@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Meinrad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gawaz
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Andreas E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008954:Models, Biological; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D019087:Selectins / Q000378:metabolism; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019087:Selectins