In atherosclerosis, activated platelets have been recently recognised not only to participate in thrombotic events but also to play an essential role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Upon their activation, platelets release several pro-inflammatory mediators including chemokines. Chemokines are key molecules in inflammation as they are able to recruit leukocytes, modulate their activation/differentiation and control their proliferation/apoptosis. In this review we will discuss recent findings regarding the specific roles of chemokines released by platelets on leukocytes and their effects on atherosclerosis.
Keywords: Platelets; activation; chemokines; leukocyte function; leukocyte trafficking; recruitment.