Scientists at New York University have discovered a surprising new role for platelets in heart disease.
Most people know platelets as tiny parts of our blood that help stop bleeding when we get a cut. But this new research shows that platelets also play a major part in causing inflammation that can damage our arteries and lead to heart attacks.
The study was led by Dr. Tessa Barrett and published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. It helps explain how heart disease begins and gets worse over time.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in countries like the United States and Australia. A common form of this disease is called atherosclerosis. It happens when fatty substances like cholesterol, along with calcium and other waste, build up inside the walls of arteries.
These buildups are called plaques. Over time, the plaques harden and make the arteries narrower, which makes it harder for blood to flow through. This can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
For many years, doctors have focused on cholesterol as the main cause of this plaque buildup. This idea is known as the “Lipid Hypothesis.” But researchers are now learning that high cholesterol is only part of the story. This new study reveals how platelets may also be fueling the process by causing inflammation.
The scientists discovered that when platelets are activated in the body, they don’t just help stop bleeding. They also send out signals that attract immune cells—like white blood cells—to areas inside blood vessels where inflammation is starting.
These immune cells then stick to the walls of the blood vessels and move into the tissue, making the inflammation worse and helping plaques to grow.
A key part of the study focused on a protein called SOCS3, short for Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3. This protein is known for helping control inflammation. The researchers found that platelets can influence SOCS3 in immune cells. When this happens, it speeds up the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Higher levels of SOCS3 and more active platelets were found in people with heart disease, including women who had heart attacks and people with clogged leg arteries. This shows that platelets and SOCS3 are closely linked to heart disease.
One of the most important discoveries from this research is that platelets can make inflammation worse even without causing blood clots. This means their harmful effects on heart health go beyond just helping blood stick together. Their role in inflammation may be just as dangerous.
This new understanding could lead to better ways to treat or prevent heart disease. If scientists can find ways to stop platelets from triggering inflammation—without affecting their ability to stop bleeding—it might help slow down or even prevent the growth of plaques in the arteries.
In short, this study shows that platelets are not just innocent helpers in our blood. They may also be silent troublemakers that fuel the inflammation behind heart disease. With more research, this discovery could open the door to new treatments and better heart health for millions of people.
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