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[Hemopoietic precursor cells in the intima of the atheromatous human aorta]
Abstract:
Granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) were found in the intima of human atheromatous aorta. Granulocyte-macrophage colonies were recovered on the 14th day of culturing of intimal cells suspensions on agar. Medium conditioned by normal leukocytes in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin was used as a source of the colony-stimulating factor. Grossly normal and atheromatous intima contained different number of CFU-GM. No GM were recovered from fibrous plaques. By light and electron microscopies, the injured aortic intima contained the clusters of blood-born cells that were at various stages of granulocytopoiesis (including blasts and mature cells) and poorly differentiated lymphocyte-like cells. The results obtained suggest that in human aortic intima proliferation and differentiation of CFU-GM occur at early stages of atherogenesis, prior to fibrous plaque formation.
Insights
Granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) proliferate in early human atherosclerosis. These cells appear in the aortic intima before fibrous plaque formation, indicating their role in early atherogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cell Biology
Context:
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting large arteries.
- The cellular and molecular mechanisms of early atherogenesis are not fully understood.
- Identifying progenitor cells within atherosclerotic lesions is crucial for understanding disease progression.
Purpose:
- To investigate the presence and activity of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) in human atheromatous aortic intima.
- To determine if CFU-GM differentiate within the aortic intima during early atherogenesis.
- To correlate CFU-GM presence with the stage of atherosclerotic development.
Summary:
- Granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) were identified and cultured from human atheromatous aortic intima.
- CFU-GM colonies were successfully recovered, indicating their proliferative capacity within the intima.
- Microscopic analysis revealed blood-born cells, including granulopoietic precursors and lymphocyte-like cells, in injured intima.
- The number of CFU-GM varied between normal and atheromatous intima, with none found in fibrous plaques.
- These findings suggest CFU-GM proliferation and differentiation occur in early atherogenesis, preceding fibrous plaque formation.
Impact:
- Provides evidence for the involvement of hematopoietic progenitor cells in the early stages of human atherosclerosis.
- Suggests a potential cellular source for the inflammatory infiltrate observed in early atherosclerotic lesions.
- Opens new avenues for research into the role of progenitor cell biology in atherogenesis.
- May inform future therapeutic strategies targeting early atherogenesis by modulating progenitor cell activity.