Thromb Haemost 2001; 85(05): 915-923
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1615768
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Human Endothelial Cells Maintain Anti-Aggregatory Activity for Platelets during Apoptosis

Wei Xu
1   Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital Dental Clinical School, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia
,
Emmanuel J. Favaloro
2   Department of Haematology, Westmead Hospital, Australia
,
Heather Medbury
3   Department of Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Australia
,
Hans Zoellner
1   Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital Dental Clinical School, Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 14 August 2001

Accepted after revision 05 December 2000

Publication Date:
11 December 2017 (online)

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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.

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