Platelet–Leukocyte Interactions in Cardiovascular Disease and Beyond

Platelet–leukocyte interactions define a basic cell process that is characterized by the exchange of signals between platelets and different types of leukocytes and that bridges 2 fundamental pathophysiological events: atherothrombosis and inflammatory immune reactions. When this process takes place at the site of atherosclerotic plaque development or at the site of endothelial injury, platelet-dependent leukocyte recruitment and activation contributes to the inflammatory reaction of the vessel wall, which accounts for the exacerbation of atherosclerosis and for intimal hyperplasia and plaque instability. Moreover, platelet–leukocyte interactions may have a key role in modulating a wide array of responses of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and tissue damage, as well as to host defense.