title: Microparticles--messengers of biological information.
abstract: Endothelial cell apoptosis is a pivotal step in the development of atherosclerotic disease. Regeneration of the damaged endothelium is an attractive therapy option in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic disease. Apoptosis is associated with the release of microparticles (MP). Besides their role as marker of cell damage, recent reports have underlined their role as signalling elements in cell-cell communication. In this review, we focus on the emerging role of circulating MP as transmitters of biological information in cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. felix.hoyer@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: Friedrich Felix
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Hoyer
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nickenig
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger