“Role of platelets in vascular remodelling: acute and persistent effects”

Keywords: Blood platelet, thrombus formation, vessel remodelling, atherosclerosis, atherothrombosis

Heart attacks are caused by blood platelets that aggregate (thrombus formation) on a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque and thereby block the artery. This poses a major health risk in the general population. This thesis led to improved understanding in the regulation of thrombus formation and in the long-term effects of platelets on the vasculature. We showed that platelets play a key role in degrading collagen, a structural component of the vessel wall. Using an experimental model it was shown that platelets destabilize the plaque and increase the vessel stiffness. Plaque instability and stiff vessels are known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Aspirin has a preventative effect on vessel stiffening and thickening. The new insights in this thesis could lead to the development of more effective medication in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.