Spontaneous endothelial cell injury in the intimal cushions of atherosclerotic pigeons.

Since endothelial damage precedes sterol accumulation, platelet factor 4-like activity elevations and alterations in thrombocyte adhesiveness, it clearly is one of the earliest events in the pathogenesis of spontaneous pigeon atherosclerosis. Although the relationships among endothelial damage and the other events have not been elucidated, it is conceivable that products released from thrombocytes subsequent to adhesion on damaged endothelium may trigger other localized changes in the intimal cushion area and lead to the progression of atherosclerosis.