Involvement of platelet activation by P2Y12 receptor in the development of transplant arteriosclerosis in mice.

Background: Although activated platelets influence inflammation by intraplatelet mediators in transplantation, their mechanism of involvement in the progression of transplant arteriosclerosis has not yet been elucidated. We, therefore, investigated this question using P2Y12 receptor knockout (KO) mice, in which platelets cannot be aggregated by adenosine diphosphate stimulation.

Methods: Carotid arteries from 129X1 mice were orthotopically transplanted into wild-type or KO mice in a minor antigen(s)-mismatched strain combination.