Smoking increases tissue factor expression in atherosclerotic plaques: implications for plaque thrombogenicity
S Matetzky1, S Tani, S Kangavari
1Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
Circulation
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Smoking elevates atherothrombotic risk by increasing plaque tissue factor (TF) expression. Aspirin treatment may mitigate these smoking-induced changes, potentially reducing thrombogenicity in smokers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Smoking is a significant risk factor for atherothrombotic events.
- The impact of smoking on atherosclerotic plaque thrombogenicity requires further investigation.
- Tissue factor (TF) plays a crucial role in the coagulation cascade and plaque instability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on tissue factor (TF) expression in atherosclerotic plaques.
- To determine whether aspirin use influences smoking-induced changes in plaque thrombogenicity.
- To explore the association between smoking, TF expression, and atherothrombotic risk.
Main Methods:
- ApoE-/- mice were exposed to cigarette smoke, with or without aspirin treatment, and compared to controls.
- Immunoreactivity for TF, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and macrophages was assessed in mouse aortic root plaques.
- TF expression and activity were analyzed in human carotid endarterectomy plaques from smokers and nonsmokers.
Main Results:
- Mice exposed to smoke exhibited significantly higher plaque TF, VCAM-1, and macrophage immunoreactivity compared to controls.
- Aspirin treatment attenuated the smoking-induced increases in plaque composition markers in mice.
- Human plaques from smokers showed higher TF immunoreactivity and activity than those from nonsmokers.
- Aspirin use in smokers was associated with reduced TF expression.
Conclusions:
- Increased plaque TF expression represents a novel mechanism linking smoking to heightened atherothrombotic risk.
- Cigarette smoking promotes plaque thrombogenicity through elevated TF expression.
- Aspirin treatment may offer a therapeutic strategy to reduce TF expression and mitigate smoking-related atherothrombotic risk.
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