Tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and cytoadhesive molecules in patients with an acute coronary syndrome

The tissue factor plays a crucial role in initiating blood coagulation after plaque rupture in patients with acute coronary syndrome. It is abundant in atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, P-selectin, some cytokines, endotoxin and immune complexes can stimulate monocytes and induce the tissue factor expression on their surface. The aim of the study was to compare plasma levels of the tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, P-selectin, E-selectin and ICAM-1 in patients with acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, stable coronary artery disease and normal control subjects. In addition, plasma levels of the tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, P-selectin, E-selectin and ICAM-1 were measured in the blood withdrawn from the coronary sinus in a subgroup of patients with unstable angina pectoris and stable coronary artery disease in which the difference between concentrations in the coronary sinus and systemic blood was calculated. A significant increase in tissue factor pathway inhibitor plasma levels was detected in patients with acute myocardial infarction (373.3+/-135.1 ng/ml, p<0.01) and unstable angina pectoris (119.6+/-86.9 ng/ml, p<0.05) in contrast to the patients with stable coronary artery disease (46.3+/-37.5 ng/ml) and normal subjects (45.1+/-14.3 ng/ml). The plasma levels of tissue factor pathway inhibitor were significantly increased both in the coronary sinus and systemic blood in the patients with unstable angina pectoris. There was only a non-significant trend to higher plasma levels of the tissue factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris as compared to the patients with stable coronary artery disease and normal subjects, the values being 129.1+/-30.2 pg/ml, 130.5+/-57.8 pg/ml, 120.2+/-45.1 pg/ml and 124.9+/-31.8 pg/ml, respectively. Plasma levels of soluble P-selectin was only slightly, but non-significantly higher in patients with unstable angina pectoris and stable coronary artery disease (184.2+/-85.4 ng/ml and 201.6+/-67.9 ng/ml, respectively) than in patients with the acute myocardial infarction (157.4+/-88.4 ng/ml) or normal subjects (151.4+/-47.1 ng/ml). The difference in plasma levels of soluble ICAM-1 between the blood withdrawn from the coronary sinus and systemic circulation correlated significantly with the corresponding difference in plasma levels of soluble P-selectin and E-selectin. In conclusion, the tissue factor and the tissue factor pathway inhibitor play a crucial role in the initiation of arterial thrombosis. The tissue factor pathway inhibitor levels are increased both in the systemic blood and in the coronary sinus of patients with the acute coronary syndrome.     

Differences in platelet activation by prolactin and leptin.

Hormones such as prolactin and leptin have recently been recognized as potent platelet aggregation co-activators, and have therefore been postulated as an additional risk factor for both arterial and venous thrombosis. Clinical situations exist that are known to be associated with higher leptin and/or prolactin levels (obesity, pregnancy, prolactinomas and anti-psychotic therapy respectively) and increased venous thrombosis or atherosclerosis risk. Therefore, we compared the impact of both hormones on platelet activation in vitro and in vivo. First, we investigated platelet aggregation and P-selectin expression after stimulation with 1,000 mU/l prolactin or 100 ng/ml leptin in five healthy volunteers in vitro. Prolactin revealed significant higher levels of P-selectin expression and platelet aggregation than leptin in all subjects. We also compared the correlation of prolactin and leptin values with the P-selection expression on platelets. Previously, we detected a significant correlation between prolactin values and ADP-stimulated P-selectin expression on platelets in pregnant women, patients with pituitary tumours, and patients on anti-psychotic therapy. In contrast, leptin did not correlate with P-selectin expression in all subject groups investigated. However, leptin correlated with body mass index in the subjects investigated. Our data indicate that prolactin has a stronger effect on platelet activation as leptin in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, our data suggest that the stronger effect of prolactin on ADP-stimulated platelet aggregation, compared to leptin, depends on higher stimulation of CD62p expression by prolactin.     

Diagnostic re-classification and prognostic risk stratification of patients with acute chest pain

Unstable angina and myocardial infarction are prevalent manifestations of acute coronary artery disease, combined in the term ‘acute coronary syndromes’. The introduction of sensitive markers for myocardial necrosis has led to confusion regarding the distinction between small myocardial infarctions and ‘true’ unstable angina, and the application of ever more sensitive markers has accelerated the pace at which patients with unstable angina are being re-classified to non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. But in how many patients with acute chest pain is myocardial ischaemia really the cause of their symptoms? Numerous studies have shown that most have <5 ng/l high-sensitivity cardiac troponin, and that their prognosis is excellent (event rate <0.5% per year), incompatible with ‘impending infarction’. This marginalisation of patients with unstable angina pectoris should lead to the demise of this diagnosis. Without unstable angina, the usefulness of the term acute coronary syndromes may be questioned next. It is better to abandon the term altogether and revert to the original diagnosis of thrombus-related acute coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction. A national register should be the next logical step to monitor and guide the application of effective therapeutic measures and clinical outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction.

     

Co-activation of platelets by prolactin or leptin--pathophysiological findings and clinical implications.

Platelet activation is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and venous thromboembolism, and might therefore be a possible link between the two entities. Prolactin and leptin have recently been recognized as potent co-activators of ADP-dependent platelet aggregation or P-selectin expression, and are therefore suspected as additional risk factors for both arterial and venous thrombosis. There are clinical situations that have a known association with higher prolactin or leptin levels (pregnancy, obesity or anti-psychotic therapy) and increased risk of thromboembolic events. We compared the impact of both hormones on platelet activation in vitro and in vivo, indicating that prolactin has a stronger effect on platelet activation as leptin in vitro and in vivo. We have also demonstrated that prolactin levels are increased in so called idiopathic thrombosis, and that conversely, patients with prolactinoma have an increased frequency of thrombosis during the hyperprolactinemic state, in a retrospective analysis. Moreover, we have demonstrated increased prolactin values in stroke and myocardial infarction. Prospective studies have yet to be performed to give this theory its final confirmation. The involvement of hormonal factors in platelet aggregation and venous or arterial thrombosis may have important clinical implications such as for risk stratification of patients with venous and arterial thrombosis or new therapeutic options such as decreasing pro-coagulant hormone levels in certain risk situations.     

Evidence-based management of coronary artery disease in the elderly--current perspectives

Cardiovascular disease accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly. The clinical trial data available to guide therapy in this growing population subset are relatively limited. This review will focus on treatment approaches and recommendations obtained from subgroup analyses of elderly patients from major clinical trials for the management of chronic stable angina, acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction), and coronary revascularization. Recent advances in the treatment of stable angina have shown that use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and lipid-lowering therapy as adjunctive measures show benefit in the elderly by reducing the occurrence of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and unstable angina. However, if patients experience disabling or unstable anginal symptoms despite effective medical therapy, coronary revascularization must be considered. Several clinical trials have shown a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac events when using intravenous glycoprotein receptor antagonists periprocedurally during percutaneous revascularization approaches in elderly patients with unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, especially when these measures are performed as soon as possible. However, the success of myocardial revascularization by a percutaneous or surgical approach is highly dependent on the patient's associated comorbidities, especially in patients over age 80 years.     

冠心病患者体内瘦素与高敏C反应蛋白检测的临床意义

目的:研究血清瘦素(LP)与高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)水平在冠心病患者体内的变化,及临床检测意义。方法:入选住院确诊的冠心病住院患者168例,对照组62例。外周血白细胞(WBC)水平应用全自动血细胞计数仪检测,血清高敏C反应蛋白水平应用比浊法检测,并血清瘦素水平用酶联免疫吸附法检测,分析瘦素与高敏C反应蛋白和外周血白细胞的关系。结果:(1)冠心病稳定型心绞痛组、不稳定型心绞痛组及急性心肌梗死组血清瘦素、高敏C反应蛋白和外周血白细胞水平显著高于对照组(均P0.05)。(2)血浆瘦素、高敏C反应蛋白及外周血白细胞水平在稳定型心绞痛组、不稳定型心绞痛组及急性心肌梗死组三组间依次增高,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。(3)简单相关分析显示瘦素与高敏C反应蛋白和外周血白细胞相关,r值分别为5.241和4.025,均P0.05。结论:瘦素与高敏C反应蛋白和外周血白细胞关系密切,可能通过炎症反应参与冠心病的发生。     

冠心病患者血清尿酸、高敏C 反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原水平变化 的临床研究

目的:观察冠心病患者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原水平的变化.方法:选取2010年11月至2011年11月于我院就诊的68例冠心病患者(稳定型心绞痛21例,不稳定型心绞痛24例,急性心肌梗死13例)作为研究对象,并选取同期于我院体检中心体检的62例健康人为对照组,检测受试者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白、纤维蛋白原的水平.结果:研究组患者血清中UA、CRP和FBG水平显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).与稳定型心绞痛组比,不稳定型心绞痛的CRP水平增高(5.34±1.98 mg/L vs.11.36±2.73 mg/L,P＜0.05),急性心肌梗死组的UA (345.63±86.4 μmol/L vs.493.76±101.2 μmol/L,P＜0.05)、CRP (5.34±1.98mg/L vs.21.3±2.24 mg/L,P＜0.05)和FBG(3.86±1.34 g/L vs.6.85±2.36 g/L,P＜0.05)水平显著增高,与不稳定型心绞痛组比,急性心肌梗死组的UA(378.91±89.7 μmol/L vs.493.76±101.2 μmol/L,P＜0.05)、CRP(11.36±2.73 mg/L vs.21.3±2.24 mg/L,P＜0.05)和FBG(4.27±2.08 g/L vs.6.85±2.36 g/L,P＜0.05)水平显著增高(P＜0.05).结论:冠心病患者血清中尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白和纤维蛋白原的水平升高,3个指标可用于评估治疗效果和预后.     

Protein Kinase C ε Expression in Platelets from Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective

Platelets play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Protein kinase C ε (PKCε) is virtually absent in human platelets and its expression is precisely regulated during human megakaryocytic differentiation. On the basis of what is known on the role of platelet PKCε in other species, we hypothesized that platelets from myocardial infarction patients might ectopically express PKCε with a pathophysiological role in the disease.

Methods and Results

We therefore studied platelet PKCε expression from 24 patients with myocardial infarction, 24 patients with stable coronary artery disease and 24 healthy subjects. Indeed, platelets from myocardial infarction patients expressed PKCε with a significant frequency as compared to both stable coronary artery disease and healthy subjects. PKCε returned negative during patient follow-up. The forced expression of PKCε in normal donor platelets significantly increased their response to adenosine diphosphate-induced activation and adhesion to subendothelial collagen.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that platelet generations produced before the acute event retain PKCε-mRNA that is not down-regulated during terminal megakaryocyte differentiation. Results are discussed in the perspective of peri-infarctual megakaryocytopoiesis as a critical component of myocardial infarction pathophysiology.     

心率减速力及连续心率减速力对冠心病心脏性猝死的预警价值

目的：通过心率减速力（DC）及连续心率减速力（DRs）检测技术对老年冠心病患者进行风险分层,探讨其对心脏性猝死的预警价值。方法：随机选择经冠状动脉造影（CAG）确诊为冠心病（CHD）的患者218例作为观察组,其中隐匿性CHD 55例,急性心肌梗死（AMI）56例,心绞痛（AP）53例,缺血性心力衰竭（IHF）54例。同期选取在本院进行健康体检者55例（对照组）,对各组患者行24 h动态心电图检查,应用软件系统分析并计算出DC值及DRs值进行统计分析。结果：CHD各亚组（AMI组、AP组、IHF组、隐匿性CHD组）的DC值及DRs值均明显降低,与正常组比较,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.01）;DC值与DRs值所提示CAD各亚组的危险分级明显高于正常组,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.01）;冠状动脉造影显示冠脉病变数量越多范围越大,病情越重,这与DC、DRs所提示CHD各亚组的危险分级相一致。结论：心率减速力和连续心率减速力能够测定分析迷走神经功能,对冠心病患者进行危险分级,对高危人群有较高的预警价值,可作为预警冠心病患者发生心脏性猝死的敏感指标。     

Recommendations from the Consensus Conference on Hypertension in the Elderly.

Since 1978 there have been dramatic advances in the understanding of the pathophysiologic features of unstable angina pectoris and in the availability of new therapies of proven efficacy. Coronary artery spasm has been shown to be an important mechanism of acute myocardial ischemia in patients with unstable angina, and coronary thrombosis has been established as an early event in the development of acute myocardial infarction and, possibly, sudden death. Intravenous nitrates and oral calcium antagonists have been made available and are now widely used. Acetylsalicylic acid has been shown to be of benefit. Improved techniques of myocardial preservation and the introduction of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty have modified the surgical management of coronary artery disease.     

川芎嗪对血小板聚集功能的影响及其作用机制的探讨

川芎嗪是从中药川芎根中提取的一种生物碱。祖国医学对其活血化瘀作用早有所知。其化学结构已查明,并有合成制品在市上销售。 临床试用表明,川芎嗪治疗冠心病、心绞痛和急性闭塞性脑血管病有效。本文研究证明,川芎嗪在体外对由诱导剂二磷酸腺苷、胶原、凝血酶诱导所致的家兔血小板聚集有强烈抑制作用,同时也能抑制血小板丙二醛的生成。对外源性花生四烯酸诱导的血小板聚集则无抑制作用。川芎嗪能加强家兔动脉环保温液对花生四烯酸诱导的血小板聚集的抑制作用。 给家兔静脉注射大剂量花生四烯酸钠盐,可使动物突然死亡。但如预先注射川芎嗪,则可使动物得到一定保护。     

Purinergic Receptors in Human Blood Platelets: Chemical Modification and Cloning Investigations

Platelet aggregation is important for maintaining normal hemostasis. However, aberrant platelet aggegation plays a major role in acute coronary artery diseases, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and stroke. ADP is one of the earliest and most important platelet agonists. ADP induces platelet aggregation, shape change, secretion, influx and intracellular mobilization of Ca²⁺, and inhibition of the adenylyl cyclase stimulated by prostaglandins. Binding of ADP to purinergic receptor(s) is required for elicitation of the ADP-induced platelet responses. But the platelet ADP receptor(s) has not been purified, largely due to the unavailability of the reagents that can be used to selectively label the platelet ADP receptor. The ADP receptor responsible for the ADP-induced platelet aggregation and inhibition of stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity has not been cloned due to difficulties in screening responsive clones generated from a cDNA library. Since the purified ADP-receptor protein is not available, antibodies that can be used as alternative tools to purify the ADP receptor or screen the clones expressing the receptor could not be made. In addition, the problem may be compounded by the low copy number and the susceptibility of the receptor to proteolysis. Therefore, signal transduction mechanisms underlying biochemical transformations in ADP-induced platelet responses remain less well defined and/less well understood. In the past decade efforts have been made to identify a platelet ADP receptor(s) by photoaffinity as well as affinity labeling by the ADP-affinity analogs. More recently efforts have been directed to clone the platelet ADP receptors. These investigations, however, have not produced definite results. The purpose of this review is to examine the results obtained by the photoaffinity- and affinity-labeling investigations and cloning experiments to identify a platelet ADP receptor(s).     

RDW和hs-CRP水平在急性心肌梗死中的表达及与冠状动脉狭窄程度的关系

目的:研究红细胞分布宽度(RDW)和高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平在急性心肌梗死中的表达及与冠状动脉狭窄程度的关系。方法:选取2010年1月到2015年1月我院收治的急性心肌梗死患者300例(研究组),另选取单纯心绞痛患者300例(对照组),比较两组RDW、hs-CRP、Gensini评分和冠状动脉病变支数,并分析RDW、hs-CRP和Gensini评分、冠状动脉病变支数的关系。结果:研究组RDW、hs-CRP、Gensini评分和冠状动脉病变支数均显著高于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);冠状动脉Gensini评分和病变支数与RDW、hs-CRP呈正相关关系(r=0.58,0.69,0.49,0.57,P0.05),同时RDW和hs-CRP呈正相关关系(P0.05)。结论:急性心肌梗死患者会出现RDW和hs-CRP水平增高现象,和冠状动脉狭窄程度呈正相关关系。     

Early and transient release of leukocyte pentraxin 3 during acute myocardial infarction

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays cardioprotective and anti-atherogenic roles in murine models. PTX3 blood levels raise during early acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Neutrophils from healthy subjects physiologically contain PTX3 in secondary (also called specific) granules. In this study, we report that circulating neutrophils release preformed PTX3 in the early phase of AMI (within 6 h from the onset of clinical symptoms). Depletion of intracellular PTX3 correlates with increased plasma levels and with platelet-neutrophil heterotypic aggregates. Neutrophil PTX3 returns to normal values 48 h after the onset of symptoms; concentration does not vary in matched healthy controls or in patients with chronic stable angina. In vitro, recognition of activated P-selectin(+) platelets causes the formation of neutrophil-platelet heteroaggregates and the release of neutrophil PTX3. Purified or membrane-bound P-selectin triggers PTX3 release from resting neutrophils. Released PTX3 binds to activated platelets in vitro. Moreover, PTX3 binds to a substantial fraction of platelets from patients in the circulating blood. PTX3-bound activated platelets have a reduced ability to 1) form heterotypic aggregates with neutrophils and monocytes; 2) activate neutrophils, as evaluated assessing the upregulation of leukocyte β(2) integrins; 3) aggregate with other platelets; and 4) bind to fibrinogen. Our results suggest that neutrophils early release prestored PTX3 in patients undergoing AMI. PTX3 binds to activated circulating platelets and dampens their proinflammatory and prothrombotic action, thus possibly contributing to its cardioprotective effects.     

Lipoproteins and diet in coronary heart disease; a five-year study

In a follow-up study for a five-year period of 351 patients with myocardial infarction and 119 patients with angina pectoris, the following observations were made:(a) The previously reported lipoprotein atherogenic index elevation in coronary heart disease was confirmed.(b) The prognosis in angina pectoris is strikingly and significantly worse when the lipoprotein atherogenic index is high.(c) Patients who died in the follow-up period showed significantly higher atherogenic index values than those who survived.(d) The lipoprotein atherogenic index measure is much superior to the serum cholesterol measurement as an indicator of the lipid disorder in coronary disease.(e) The low fat, low cholesterol diet is effective in maintaining chronically lowered lipoprotein atherogenic index values.(f) In patients who said they did not adhere to a low fat, low cholesterol diet, the recurrence and death rate was four times as high as in patients who stated they adhered to the diet.     

LIPOPROTEINS AND DIET IN CORONARY HEART DISEASE—A Five-Year Study

In a follow-up study for a five-year period of 351 patients with myocardial infarction and 119 patients with angina pectoris, the following observations were made:(a) The previously reported lipoprotein atherogenic index elevation in coronary heart disease was confirmed.(b) The prognosis in angina pectoris is strikingly and significantly worse when the lipoprotein atherogenic index is high.(c) Patients who died in the follow-up period showed significantly higher atherogenic index values than those who survived.(d) The lipoprotein atherogenic index measure is much superior to the serum cholesterol measurement as an indicator of the lipid disorder in coronary disease.(e) The low fat, low cholesterol diet is effective in maintaining chronically lowered lipoprotein atherogenic index values.(f) In patients who said they did not adhere to a low fat, low cholesterol diet, the recurrence and death rate was four times as high as in patients who stated they adhered to the diet.     

Increased Platelet Reactivity in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Is Mediated by a Plasma Factor

Introduction

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, incurable fibrotic interstitial lung disease with a prognosis worse than many cancers. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Activated platelets can release pro-fibrotic mediators that have the potential to contribute to lung fibrosis. We determine platelet reactivity in subjects with IPF compared to age-matched controls.

Methods

Whole blood flow cytometry was used to measure platelet-monocyte aggregate formation, platelet P-selectin expression and platelet fibrinogen binding at basal levels and following stimulation with platelet agonists. A plasma swap approach was used to assess the effect of IPF plasma on control platelets.

Results

Subjects with IPF showed greater platelet reactivity than controls. Platelet P-selectin expression was significantly greater in IPF patients than controls following stimulation with 0.1 µM ADP (1.9% positive ±0.5 (mean ± SEM) versus 0.7%±0.1; p = 0.03), 1 µM ADP (9.8%±1.3 versus 3.3%±0.8; p<0.01) and 10 µM ADP (41.3%±4.2 versus 22.5%±2.6; p<0.01). Platelet fibrinogen binding was also increased, and platelet activation resulted in increased platelet-monocyte aggregate formation in IPF patients. Re-suspension of control platelets in plasma taken from subjects with IPF resulted in increased platelet activation compared to control plasma.

Conclusions

IPF patients exhibit increased platelet reactivity compared with controls. This hyperactivity may result from the plasma environment since control platelets exhibit increased activation when exposed to IPF plasma.     

Decreased platelet aggregation, increased bleeding time and resistance to thromboembolism in P2Y1-deficient mice.

Platelet activation is characterized by shape change, induction of fibrinogen receptor expression and release of granular contents, leading to aggregation and plug formation. While this response is essential for hemostasis, it is also important in the pathogenesis of a broad spectrum of diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke and unstable angina. Adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) induces platelet aggregation, but the mechanism for this has not been established, and the relative contribution of ADP in hemostasis and the development of arterial thrombosis is poorly understood. We show here that the purinoceptor P2Y1 is required for platelet shape change in response to ADP and is also a principal receptor mediating ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Activation of P2Y1 resulted in increased intracellular calcium but no alteration in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. P2Y1-deficient platelets partially aggregated at higher ADP concentrations, and the lack of P2Y1 did not alter the ability of ADP to inhibit cAMP, indicating that platelets express at least one additional ADP receptor. In vivo, the lack of P2Y1 expression increased bleeding time and protected from collagen- and ADP-induced thromboembolism. These findings support the hypothesis that the ATP receptor P2Y1 is a principal receptor mediating both physiologic and pathological ADP-induced processes in platelets.     

Agonist-induced platelet adhesion: use of the method in patients with myocardial infarction

A new method of agonist-induced platelet adhesion has been developed for the evaluation of platelet activity. Platelet adhesion to plastic was stimulated by low doses of ADP, epinephrine and stable thromboxane analogue U46619. These inducers cause more than 3-fold increase of platelet adhesion in concentrations by 5-10 times lower than those necessary for stimulation of platelet aggregation in Born aggregometer. The method was applied for evaluation of platelet adhesive activity in patients with myocardial infarction. A dramatic increase of agonists-induced platelet adhesion was registered in patients with acute infarction, most significantly expressed when epinephrine was used as platelet agonist.     

IL-17A facilitates platelet function through the ERK2 signaling pathway in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background

Platelet aggregation mediated by inflammation played a critical role in the development of coronary heart diseases (CHD). Our previous clinical researches showed that Th17 cells and their characteristic cytokine IL-17A were associated with the plaque destabilization in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the potent effect of IL-17A on platelets-induced atherothrombosis remains unknown.

Methods and Results

In this study, we detected the plasma IL-17A levels and platelet aggregation in patients with stable angina (SA), unstable angina (UA), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and chest pain syndrome (CPS). In addition, the markers of platelet activation (CD62P/PAC-1) and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway were detected in platelets from ACS patients. We found that plasma IL-17A levels and platelet aggregation in patients with ACS (UA and AMI) were significantly higher than patients with SA and CPS, and the plasma IL-17A levels were positively correlated with the platelet aggregation (R = 0.47, P<0.01). In addition, in patients with ACS, the platelet aggregation, CD62P/PAC-1 and the phosphorylation of ERK2 signaling pathway were obviously elevated in platelets pre-stimulated with IL-17A in vitro. Furthermore, the specific inhibitor of ERK2 could attenuate platelet aggregation and activation triggered by IL-17A.

Conclusion

Our experiment firstly proved that IL-17A could promote platelet function in patients with ACS via activating platelets ERK2 signaling pathway and may provide a novel target for antiplatelet therapies in CHD.