Correlation between SHP-1 and carotid plaque vulnerability in humans

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Advanced atherosclerotic plaques increase cerebral ischemic event risk.
• SHP-1 phosphatase is linked to plaque stability at the mRNA level.
• Protein-level correlation of SHP-1 with human carotid plaque stability is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protein expression of SHP-1 in human carotid plaques.
• To determine the relationship between SHP-1 protein levels and carotid plaque stability.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed 39 carotid plaque samples from patients with carotid artery stenosis.
• Performed immunohistochemical staining for SHP-1, CD68, and VCAM-1.
• Quantitatively analyzed SHP-1 expression and its colocalization with other markers.

Main Results:

• SHP-1 protein accumulated in necrotic areas, shoulder, and fibrous cap of plaques.
• Higher SHP-1-positive cell area and integrated optical density in vulnerable plaques compared to stable plaques (P < .001).
• SHP-1 colocalized with CD68 and VCAM-1, indicating a role in macrophage activity.

Conclusions:

• SHP-1 protein expression increases with carotid atherosclerotic plaque progression.
• SHP-1 expression correlates with increased plaque instability in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
• SHP-1 may serve as a promising biomarker for plaque vulnerability and influence atherosclerosis via macrophage polarization.