Abstract 8689: Platelet CD40 Receptor Expression Accelerates Platelet Induced Atherogenesis

TL;DRAbstract

Beyond an eminent role in hemostasis and thrombosis, platelets are important mediators of inflammation and protagonists of atherogenesis. Here we investigated the inflammatory propensity of platelet-specific expression of the CD40 receptor, an integral membrane protein of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF-R) family. Besides its presence on immune and other cell types the CD40 receptor is constitutively expressed on platelets where its function remains unknown. Platelets were isolated from Apoe−/− or Cd40−/−Apoe−/− mice, activated with thrombin, and injected (3x107 platelets, i.v.), into 17-week-old Apoe−/− mice every 5 days for 12 weeks. Compared to infusion of activated Apoe−/− (wild type) platelets, injection of activated Cd40−/−Apoe−/− platelets caused a 73% decrease in plaque size (Apoe−/− platelets 18.3x104 + 2.7x104 μm2 vs Cd40−/−Apoe−/− platelets 6.7 x104 + 2.1 x104 μm2, Vehicle 9.8 x104 + 2.8 x104 μm2, p<0.05) in the aortic arch. Absence of CD40 on platelets reduced th

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