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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus
06:43

Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus

Published on: December 8, 2013

Characterization of apoptotic macrophages in atheromatous tissue of humans and heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits

R Kinscherf1, M Wagner, H Kamencic

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology III, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Ralf.Kinscherf@urz.uni-heidelberg.de

Atherosclerosis
|June 25, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Apoptotic macrophages in atherosclerosis are activated, oxidatively stressed, and express integrins, suggesting these factors accelerate their programmed cell death within lesions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Cellular Pathology

Background:

  • Apoptotic macrophages are prevalent in atherosclerotic plaques, indicating programmed cell death's role in disease regulation.
  • Understanding the characteristics of these apoptotic macrophages is crucial for elucidating atherosclerosis pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively characterize apoptotic macrophages within human and heritable hyperlipidemic (HHL) rabbit atherosclerotic lesions.
  • To investigate the molecular markers and cellular states associated with macrophage apoptosis in atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of human carotid/aortic and HHL rabbit aortic tissues using antibodies against CD11b/CD18, CD44, MHC class I/II, iNOS, MnSOD, TNFα, p53, c-jun/AP-1, RAM-11.
  • TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) technique to identify apoptotic cells.
  • Computer-assisted morphometric analysis for quantitative correlation studies.

Main Results:

  • Apoptotic macrophages in human and HHL rabbit lesions exhibited co-localization with markers for MnSOD, alphaMbeta2-integrin, CD44, MHC class I/II, iNOS, TNFα, and p53.
  • Morphometric analysis revealed positive correlations between MnSOD-immunoreactive macrophages and alphaMbeta2-integrin/CD44-immunoreactive macrophages.
  • No significant correlation was found between MnSOD-immunoreactive macrophages and MHC class I/II or RAM-11-immunoreactive macrophages.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptotic macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions are characterized as activated, antigen-presenting, integrin-expressing, and oxidatively stressed.
  • These cellular states, known to induce apoptosis in vitro, likely contribute to the susceptibility of macrophages to programmed cell death within atherosclerotic lesions.
  • The findings highlight the complex role of macrophage apoptosis in the progression of atherosclerosis.

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Inflammation01:38

Inflammation

Overview
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.