Summary
Despite evidence of elevated levels of tissue factor and platelet binding by apoptotic
endothelial cells, microthrombi do not appear to be associated with apoptotic endothelium
and this suggests maintained anti-aggregatory activity for platelets. We report that
anti-aggregatory activity is maintained by apoptotic endothelium obtained by serum
and or matrix deprivation, which we propose as models for apoptotic endothelial cells
released during microvascular remodelling and traumatic detachment respectively. Both
apoptotic and non-apoptotic endothelium had strong anti-aggregatory activity for platelets
stimulated with either ADP or thrombin. Inhibition experiments using L-NAME and indo-methacin
indicated a role for nitric oxide and prostacyclin in this activity. Experiments with
latex beads further confirmed that inhibited platelet aggregation by endothelium was
not merely a non-specific phenomenon. These data support the idea that EC maintain
active anti-thrombotic activity during apoptosis, consistent with maintained urokinase
levels and canalicular fragmentation reported elsewhere.
Keywords
Endothelium - apoptosis - platelets - aggregation