Figure 1

Hepatotoxic injury recruits CD41⁺ platelets carrying VEGF-A and SDF-1 to liver vasculature. (a, b) After intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of hepatotoxic agent carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), CD41⁺ platelets expressing VEGF-A and SDF-1 were recruited to VEGFR3⁺ liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). Liver sections were stained with antibodies against platelet marker CD41, VEGF-A (a), SDF-1 (b) and LSEC-specific marker VEGFR3. After CCl₄ injury, but not administration of PBS (control), CD41⁺SDF-1⁺VEGF-A⁺ platelets were associated with VEGFR3⁺ LSECs; scale bar, 50 μm. (c) Quantification of CD41⁺SDF-1⁺VEGF-A⁺ platelets associated with VEGFR3⁺ LSECs. N=5–7 mice per group. (d) Flow cytometry analysis of platelet accumulation in the CCl₄-injured and control livers. Activation of CD41⁺ platelets was evidenced by surface expression of activation marker P-selectin.