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Characterization of inflammatory cells in a patient with chronic periaortitis
D V Parums1, D C Dunn, A K Dixon
1Nuffield Department of Pathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, U.K.
Abstract:
During repair of an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm, fresh samples of the aneurysm wall were obtained. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of chronic periaortitis,- advanced atherosclerosis with medial attenuation, and periaortic inflammation. Monoclonal antibodies were used to identify the cells of the inflammatory infiltrate. The majority of the adventitial lymphocytes were B cells. No B cells were present in the atheroma. The majority of mature plasma cells contained IgG with a few plasma cells containing IgM. T cells, predominantly T helper cells, were found in the atheroma and adventitia. Positive DR staining was shown by the majority of lymphocytes, by macrophage-like cells in germinal centers of lymphoid follicles in the adventitia, by some vascular endothelial cells, and by some smooth muscle cells. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Insights
Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms show significant B cell infiltration in the adventitia, with T cells and plasma cells present. Atheromas lack B cells but contain T cells, indicating localized immune responses in aneurysm development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are associated with inflammation.
- Chronic periaortitis, atherosclerosis, and periaortic inflammation are key pathological features.
- The specific immune cell populations involved in AAA pathogenesis require further elucidation.