[Various problems in the morphogenesis of nonspecific aortoarteritis]

Hyperplastic aortic intima in non-specific aorta-arteritis (NAA) was studied histologically and by means of electron-microscopic autoradiography and immunomorphology. Main cell elements of focal intimal growth in NAA were shown to be fibroblast-like cells producing type I collagen and the cells ultrastructurally corresponding to smooth-muscle cells and producing type III collagen. There were many small vessels of capillary and precapillary type located between these cells and in the intercellular substance. It is discussed whether the hyperplasia of vascular systems of the vessel wall is a decisive factor in the morphogenesis of local thickening in the intima.