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Inflammatory components in endarterectomy lesions: an immunohistological study
M Zembala1, R Wojnicz, B Ryfiński
1Silesian Centre of Heart Disease, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Silesian Medical School, Szpitalna 2 st., 41-800, Zabrze, Poland.
Cardiovascular Surgery (London, England)
|June 5, 2002
Summary
Chronic inflammation persists in advanced atherosclerotic lesions, characterized by macrophages and CD3 lymphocytes. However, the low expression of HLA-DR and ICAM-1 suggests the inflammatory process may be resolving.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Immunohistology
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Chronic inflammation is a key component of atherosclerosis.
- Understanding the inflammatory profile of advanced atherosclerotic lesions is crucial for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To immunohistologically characterize chronic inflammation in endarterectomy specimens from coronary arteries.
- To quantify macrophage and CD3 lymphocyte densities.
- To assess the expression of MHC class II (HLA-DR) and ICAM-1 on macrophages.
Main Methods:
- Endarterectomy specimens from 24 coronary artery patients (CABG surgery) were analyzed.
- Immunohistochemistry utilized the avidin-biotin method with monoclonal antibodies.
- Macrophages and CD3 lymphocytes were counted; MHC class II and ICAM-1 were semi-quantitatively scored.
Main Results:
- Mean macrophage density was 47.8 cells/mm², and CD3 lymphocyte density was 1.3 cells/mm².
- A majority of cases (70.8%) showed weak or no HLA-DR expression on macrophages.
- Most cases (79.2%) exhibited weak or no ICAM-1 expression on macrophages.
Conclusions:
- Advanced atherosclerotic lesions exhibit persistent chronic inflammation.
- The limited number of activated inflammatory cells and low expression of key markers suggest a 'burnt-out' inflammatory state.