Inhibition of GPVI impairs growth of AAA. (A) Resting platelets expressing GPVI (blue) circulate in the bloodstream (upper insert). Some platelets interact with the intraluminal thrombus and become activated. These platelets shed their GPVI and can express P-selectin (red, lower inset). These platelets can either incorporate into the thrombus and recruit leukocytes (purple) or circulate as partially activated platelets. Plasma levels of soluble GPVI fragments shed from activated platelets serve as a biomarker for fast-growing aneurysms. (B) Anti-GPVI IgG interferes with platelet incorporation into intraluminal thrombi and decreases thrombus size. Red arrow indicates blood flow. Professional illustration by Somersault18:24.