“…Activated platelets produce massive amounts of proinflammatory mediators and cross-talk with and activate different cells; in turn, platelets are activated by EC-derived proinflammatory substances binding to cognate receptors on the platelets' surface (49,50). Platelets' mediators are kept in the ␣-granules and dense body systems (51) and are promptly released upon activation, including histamine, serotonin, thromboxane A 2 , platelet-activating factor, PGE 2 and PGD 2 , TGF-, platelet-derived growth factor, multiple chemokines (RANTES, epithelia-derived neutrophil-activating 78, MCP-3, growth-related oncogene ␣, and MIP-1␣), IL-1, and thrombocidins, all of which target immune cells (46,52). Some of these products control vascular tone and permeability, but platelets also release trophic factors for ECs like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes angiogenesis (53).…”