Abstract

Leukocyte rolling, adhesion, transmigration and activation are features of vascular inflammation leading to atherosclerosis. In particular the interaction between platelets and leukocytes is a key process for adhesion of inflammatory cells to the vascular wall. The various mechanisms of the specific platelet-leukocyte interaction may provide a powerful target to prevent initiation and/or progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, EMMPRIN, monocytes, platelets, pharmacological inhibition, inflammation, P-Selectin, clopidogrel, cytokines, chemokines