Increased Platelet Binding to Circulating Monocytes in Acute Coronary Syndromes

Abstract

There is evidence for a significant P-selectin-independent molecular component to the platelet-monocyte conjugation observed in peripheral blood. Patients with myocardial infarction and unstable angina demonstrate increased total binding of platelets to monocytes. Additionally, calcium-independent adhesion was significantly elevated in patients with evidence of myocardial infarction. These findings demonstrate that novel cation-independent adhesion mechanisms may mediate platelet-monocyte binding, representing a new therapeutic target after vascular injury associated with myocardial infarction.