The Role of Platelets in Cardiovascular Disease: Molecular Mechanisms.
The role of platelets in atherosclerotic process and subsequently in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease is essential as platelets in addition to their contribution to thrombosis and hemostasis modulating inflammatory reactions and immune response. Platelets after adhesion on the injured vascular endothelium and activation release a wide range of molecules stored in platelets granules such as chemokines, proinflammatory molecules and other biological response modulators accelerating interaction among platelets, endothelial cells and leukocytes. These interactions establish a localized inflammatory response that promotes the atherosclerotic process. Moreover, activated platelets give rise to microparticles another active participant within the blood stream. The purpose of this review is to present the role of platelets in the above mechanisms giving an emphasis on the nature of the platelet derived- molecules and their contribution to the atherosclerotic process.
Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Angeliki
A
Papapanagiotou
Georgios
G
Daskalakis
Gerasimos
G
Siasos
Antonios
A
Gargalionis
Athanasios G
AG
Papavassiliou
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors