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Figure 1 Plaque MPs Induce In Vitro Endothelial Cell Proliferation

(A) Plaque microparticles (MPs) induce a dose-dependent increase in ³H-thymidine incorporation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), whereas both MPs' vehicle (Dulbecco's modified eagle medium [DMEM]) and the 20,500 g supernatant (Sn) obtained after pelleting MPs from plaque homogenate did not. (B) Plaque MPs induce a dose-dependent increase in endothelial cell number (n = 6). (C) Plaque MPs (6,000 Annexin V+ MPs/µl) from symptomatic (Sympto) patients induce more proliferation than those from asymptomatic (AS) patients (n = 6). FCS = fetal calf serum.