Figure 3.

(a) PNA (platelet neutrophil aggregate) formation leads to uPA (Urokinase-type plasminogen activator) mediated neutrophil extravasation and subsequent ROS (reactive oxygen species) release. (b) ROS, released from neutrophils, initiates mast cell degranulation and consecutive release of cytokines, growth factors and eRNA in microvesicles. (c) eRNA and cytokine (especially MCP-1) mediated recruitment and extravasation of monocytes enhances local inflammatory processes leading to (d) collateral artery growth (arteriogenesis) and extracellular matrix remodeling. The extracellular vessel lumen is depicted in red, EC in yellow, SMC in orange, and the perivascular space in gray. Arrows indicate the subsequent steps during arteriogenesis. [EC: endothelial cells; SMC: smooth muscle cells].