UvA - DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia

t Microparticless are membrane vesicles released from many different cell types. There are two mechanismss that can result in their formation, cell activation and apoptosis. In both these mechanismss different pathways are involved in microparticle generation. Microparticle generationn seems to be a highly regulated process that results in formation of microparticles that varyy in size, phospholipid and protein composition. Microparticles have a potent proinflammatoryy effect, they promote coagulation and they affect vascular function. Since all these processess are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and microparticle numbers in venouss blood are altered in many cardiovascular diseases, a role for microparticles in the pathogenesiss of cardiovascular diseases is likely. Although the so far gathered information points towardss a causal role of microparticles in these diseases, additional evidence is required to confirmm this. Clarification of the microparticle composition and the mechanisms involved in exertionn of their effects will hopefully supply us with this evidence and enable us to develop additionall intervention strategies for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.