The roles of endothelium, platelets, and smooth muscle cells in intimal healing.

The continual remodeling of the artery wall significantly narrows the lumen. It contributes to the development of atherosclerotic plaque through the incorporation of lipid into the arterial intima. The steps in the repair of arterial intima include platelet accumulation followed by leukocyte attachment to denuded areas, smooth muscle migration from the media, deposition of extracellular connective tissue components, and endothelial progression seem related to re-endothelialization, platelets, the pituitary, and unidentified factors.