Stabilizing Role of Platelet P2Y12 Receptors in Shear-Dependent Thrombus Formation on Ruptured Plaques

In most models of experimental thrombosis, healthy blood vessels are damaged. This results in the formation of a platelet thrombus that is stabilized by ADP signaling via P2Y12 receptors. However, such models do not predict involvement of P2Y12 in the clinically relevant situation of thrombosis upon rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. We investigated the role of P2Y12 in thrombus formation on (collagen-containing) atherosclerotic plaques in vitro and in vivo, by using a novel mouse model of atherothrombosis.