The instant invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of for example, platelet aggregation or clot formation in a subject. The invention inhibits the activity of decreases the amount of neutrophils in the subject by inhibiting the activity or production of IL-6, interferon-gamma, STAT1, or cathepsin G. The invention addresses decreasing the amount of neutrophils in an attempt to treat subjects that have or are at risk of developing a vascular occlusive disease, an ischemia or reperfusion injury, an acute or chronic inflammatory state, autoimmune disease, myelodysplastic syndrome, tissue injury from surgery or accidental trauma, acute bacterial or viral infection, has undergone a microvascular surgical reconstructive procedure, is receiving granulocyte colony stimulating factor therapy, receiving stem cell therapy, or has sickle cell anemia.
