Although generation of microparticles from stimulated cells is a universal event
of the cell life, little is known about the mechanisms regulating this process. Only in the last
ten years, microparticles are considered as vectors of biological information between cells.
Levels of circulating microparticles are enhanced in a large number of cardiovascular
pathologies including changes in the microcirculation associated with insulino-resistance
and this has been associated with deleterious effects on cells from vascular wall, mainly,
endothelial cells. However, under several conditions, microparticles released from different
vascular cells can induce beneficial effects, such as repair of injured tissue favoring
angiogenesis, release of nitric oxide from injured endothelium, for instance. This review
emphasizes the increasing significance of microparticles in major cardiovascular
pathological situations, as well as, the recent progress in the identification of other
biological functions for microparticles, mainly, considering microparticles as potential
therapeutic tools.
