Platelets in Angiogenesis

Abstract

Platelets hold an important function as first line of response to seal wounds after vascular and tissue injury. However, they are much more than just a component of the haemostatic system. They are involved in tissue regeneration and play a role in different pathologic conditions such as atherosclerosis or tumour progression. Angiogenesis being involved in these processes, as well, may represent one of the (patho-) physiological mechanisms, which are modulated by platelets thereby affecting disease. In other diseases involving inflammation, the role of platelets for endothelial cells, which are the most important cell type in angiogenesis, is well established. Recent effort has now highlighted a potential role of platelets and platelet derived mediators for angiogenesis. This article reviews our current understanding of the role of platelets for angiogenesis and how this knowledge could affect future directions in research and therapy.

L-Carnitine Supplementation Increases Trimethylamine-N-Oxide but not Markers of Atherosclerosis in Healthy Aged Women

“…The early atherosclerotic lesions are characterized by the accumulation of arte-DOI: 10.1159/000495037 rial foam cells derived mainly from cholesterol-loaded macrophages [2,3] and therefore, clinical interest has focused on lipid parameters such as total cholesterol (TCh), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), TCh-HDL ratio, triglycerides (TG) [4,5]. Moreover, the dysfunction of cells in the bloodstream (leukocytes and platelets) induces the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines [6,7]. Increased plasma levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and L-selectin (SELL) are considered markers of immunological activation of leukocytes and macrophages, whereas P-selectin (SELP) is a marker of platelet activation [8].…”

Relationship between mean platelet volume and retinopathy of prematurity

“…Angiogenesis, which can be regulated by local release of proangiogenic or antiangiogenic factors, is a critical element in the pathologic process of ROP [3,4]. Recent evidences pointed to a role of platelets in angiogenesis [5,6]. Both proangiogenic and antiangiogenic agents are stored in different subpopulations of α-granules in platelets and megakaryocytes, and they can be differentially released upon specific stimulation [7].…”

Unaltered Angiogenesis-Regulating Activities of Platelets in Mild Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus despite a Marked Platelet Hyperreactivity

“…Platelets have emerged as an important player in angiogenesis and tissue regeneration [25, 26]. This has prompted us to generate the hypothesis that impaired tissue regeneration, often manifested as a cumbersome wound healing, in diabetic patients may be attributed to the alterations of platelet angiogenic activities in T2DM patients.…”