According to the current model of thrombus formation after rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, local activation of the plasmatic coagulation system subsequently leads to platelet activation and thrombotic vascular occlusion. We were able to show for the first time that platelets adhere directly to human atheromatous plaque which leads to platelet activation and aggregation. Importantly, platelet adhesion to plaque was found to be independent of the plasmatic coagulation. Further, we identified the platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein (GP)VI as an essential mechanism for the direct interaction of platelets and atheromatous plaque under arterial flow conditions. Thus, GPVI may represent a promising target for treatment of atherothrombosis.
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According to the current model of thrombus formation after rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, local activation of the plasmatic coagulation system subsequently leads to platelet activation and thrombotic vascular occlusion. We were able to show for the first time that platelets adhere directly to human atheromatous plaque which leads to platelet activation and aggregation. Importantly, platelet adhesion to plaque was found to be independent of the plasmatic coagulation. Further, we identified...
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