The transport of high amounts of vascular endothelial growth factor by blood platelets underlines their potential contribution in systemic sclerosis angiogenesis

Abstract

Platelets transport high levels of VEGF in SSc. They may contribute to circulating VEGF because of ongoing activation in the course of the disease. If activated at the contact of injured endothelium, platelets may be important in the altered angiogenesis associated with the disease through the secretion of high levels of VEGF.