BACKGROUND: Platelets foster an inflammatory environment that influences atherosclerotic lesion progression and facilitates plaque rupture, in addition to their role in acute thrombus formation. The route of entry of platelets into the atherosclerotic plaque and their exact location inside the plaque are however not completely understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: 188 carotid plaques were examined for the presence of platelets using immunohistochemistry (CD42b), and 76/188 (40.4%) were platelet positive. Platelets were observed in intraplaque hemorrhages, around plaque microvessels, mostly without leakage of erythrocytes; and in mural thrombi. Platelet positive staining was associated with a higher plaque microvessel density, and elevated plaque-levels of interleukin-8. CONCLUSION: Due to their short life span, platelets reflect recent bleeding. It can be hypothesized that platelets might serve as a marker for leaky microvessels inside atherosclerotic plaques that are at risk for development, or progression of plaque hemorrhage.
BACKGROUND: Platelets foster an inflammatory environment that influences atherosclerotic lesion progression and facilitates plaque rupture, in addition to their role in acute thrombus formation. The route of entry of platelets into the atherosclerotic plaque and their exact location inside the plaque are however not completely understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: 188 carotid plaques were examined for the presence of platelets using immunohistochemistry (CD42b), and 76/188 (40.4%) were platelet positive. Platelets were observed in intraplaque hemorrhages, around plaque microvessels, mostly without leakage of erythrocytes; and in mural thrombi. Platelet positive staining was associated with a higher plaque microvessel density, and elevated plaque-levels of interleukin-8. CONCLUSION: Due to their short life span, platelets reflect recent bleeding. It can be hypothesized that platelets might serve as a marker for leaky microvessels inside atherosclerotic plaques that are at risk for development, or progression of plaque hemorrhage.
Authors: Dominic Pj Howard; Guus W van Lammeren; Peter M Rothwell; Jessica N Redgrave; Frans L Moll; Jean-Paul Pm de Vries; Dominique Pv de Kleijn; Hester M den Ruijter; Gert Jan de Borst; Gerard Pasterkamp Journal: Stroke Date: 2014-12-04 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Peter Kraft; Christiane Drechsler; Ignaz Gunreben; Peter Ulrich Heuschmann; Christoph Kleinschnitz Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-03-06 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Graciela E Delgado; Andreas Zirlik; Rudolf Gruber; Thomas Scheffold; Bernhard K Krämer; Winfried März; Marcus E Kleber Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-08-15 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Margreet R de Vries; Hans W M Niessen; Clemens W G M Löwik; Jaap F Hamming; J Wouter Jukema; Paul H A Quax Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-10-11 Impact factor: 3.240