Insights into the Platelet Releasate

The platelet releasate comprises of a multitude of inflammatory and vasoactive substances, which can attract atherogenic leukocytes from the circulation, activate endothelial cells and stimulate vessel growth and repair by triggering vascular cell proliferation, migration, and inflammation. Thus, platelets are believed central in the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions and recent progress in uncovering more than 300 proteins in the thrombin-activated platelet releasate may advance our ability to understand the events involved and responses triggered in the progression of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, neutralisation of these platelet-derived proinflammatory factors may become an interesting means for therapeutic or preventative intervention in atherosclerosis.