Beta3 integrin--a promiscuous integrin involved in vascular pathology

To determine whether beta3 integrin is present in blood vessels involved by atherosclerosis, Mönckeberg's medial calcinosis, vein graft atherosclerosis, transplant graft vascular disease and arterial restenosis.

Retrospective histological and immunohistochemistry examination of tissues obtained from autopsy and surgery.

Tertiary care hospital.

The patients had surgical excisions of limbs, grafts, veins and arteries for the treatment of ischemic heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. Other tissues were derived from autopsies of the same patient populations.

Beta3 integrin was found in the blood vessels involved in all of the vascular diseases examined. The location of the integrin varied among the diseases. Osteopontin, a bone sialoprotein involved in atherosclerosis and vascular repair, was also commonly detected.

Beta3 integrin expression noted in the present study confirms the presence of this integrin in arteries with restenosis and atherosclerosis, which expands its involvement to the processes of transplant graft vascular disease, peripheral vascular disease and vein graft disease. The integrin may influence cell migration and adhesion by its interaction with noncollagenous matrix proteins, including osteopontin.