Cellular Origins and Thrombogenic Activity of Microparticles Isolated From Human Atherosclerotic Plaques

Cellular Origins and Thrombogenic Activity of Microparticles Isolated From Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Aurélie S. Leroyer, Hirotaka Isobe, Guy Leséche, Yves Castier, Michel Wassef, Ziad Mallat, Bernd R. Binder, Alain Tedgui, Chantal M. Boulanger Atherosclerotic plaques contain submicron microparticles released during cell activation or apoptosis. Plaque microparticles originate mainly from macrophages, erythrocytes, and smooth muscle cells, contrasting with plasma microparticles, which are primarily derived from platelets and show no smooth muscle cell origin. The different cellular origins of plaque and plasma microparticles may explain increased thrombogenic activity of plaque microparticles.