Interaction of Platelets and Inflammatory Endothelium in the Development and Progression of Coronary Artery Disease

An expanding body of evidence emphasizes the role of platelets as initial actors in inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. Platelets interact with leukocytes and endothelial cells and enforce monocyte transformation into macrophages. Platelets not only mediate the recruitment of leukocytes. They also bind oxidized phospholipids and may promote foam cell formation. Platelets furthermore recruit progenitor cells to the scene, which are able to differentiate into foam cells or endothelial cells, presumably depending on the local microenvironment. Furthermore, platelets are capable of promoting the recruitment of circulating dendritic cells and influencing their functions, thereby presumably modulating immune reactions in atherogenesis. Taken together, platelets may participate in the initiation, development, and total extent of atherosclerotic lesions.