Secretory products from human monocyte-derived macrophages enhance platelet aggregation

Both macrophages and platelets play an important role in atherogenesis. We studied the effect of conditioned medium obtained from human monocyte-derived macrophages on in vitro platelet aggregation. Incubation of macrophage-conditioned medium (MCM) with platelets resulted in enhanced platelet aggregation (up to 35% difference between basal and MCM-stimulated activity), which was time dependent. This MCM effect on platelet function was increased both with time of mononuclear cell culturing (up to 10 days) and with the time of macrophage incubation in serum-free medium (up to 24 hours) prior to MCM collection. MCM from either cholesterol-loaded macrophages or from macrophages obtained from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia demonstrated a 37% and 20% increased effect, respectively, in comparison to MCM derived from normal subjects. Macrophage activation with lipopolysaccharide resulted in the harvesting of a MCM that enhanced platelet activity 60% more than MCM obtained from nonactivated cells. The active component of MCM was inhibited fivefold following heating at 100 degrees C for 10 minutes or after treatment with trypsin or protease, but was not affected by antioxidants. MCM activation of blood platelets may be of importance in atherogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms involved may contribute to an improved appreciation of the role of both platelets and macrophages in atherosclerosis.