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Semin Thromb Hemost 2006; 32(1): 040-047
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-933339
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Tissue Factor Expression in the Morphologic Spectrum of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques

Allard C. van der Wal1 , 2 , Xiaofei Li2 , Onno J. de Boer2
  • 1Professor
  • 2Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 February 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Inflammation and thrombosis are key events in the long-lasting sequence of atherosclerotic plaque initiation, plaque growth, and eventual onset of complications leading to clinically manifest disease. Recent cellular and molecular studies have indicated that inside the plaque tissue complex, proinflammatory and prothrombotic mechanisms are intimately associated, and tissue factor (TF) is one of the main proteins that may link both processes. It is therefore not surprising that TF expression appeared to be a prominent feature in various types of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques (i.e., lesions that specifically predispose to the onset of symptomatic atherosclerotic disease).

KEYWORDS

Tissue factor - atherosclerosis - macrophages - smooth muscle cells - coronary artery disease - thrombosis - plaque rupture

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Allard C van der WalM.D. Ph.D. 

Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam

Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Email: a.c.vanderwal@amc.uva.nl

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