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Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor expression in advanced atherosclerotic plaques
Nicolae Ghinea1,2, Elisa Anamaria Liehn3,4,5, Jochen Grommes6
1Département Recherche Translationnelle, Centre de Recherche, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France. nicolae.ghinea@inserm.fr.
Scientific Reports
|May 3, 2024
Summary
Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is present in human atherosclerotic plaques. This finding reveals a potential new target for treating atherosclerosis by understanding FSHR
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) can directly impact endothelial cells, promoting atherosclerosis.
- The presence and role of the FSH receptor (FSHR) in human atherosclerotic plaques remain uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of FSHR in human atherosclerotic plaques.
- To determine if FSHR is present on endothelial cells and immune cells within these plaques.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy were employed using a specific anti-FSHR monoclonal antibody (FSHR1A02).
- Human atherosclerotic plaques from carotid, coronary, femoral arteries, and iliac aneurysms were analyzed.
- ApoE knockout/hFSHR knock-in mouse model was used for in vivo validation.
Main Results:
- FSHR was selectively expressed in the arterial endothelium covering atherosclerotic plaques and intraplaque neovessels.
- FSHR was also detected on M1-macrophages, foam cells, and giant multinucleated cells within plaques.
- FSHR was absent in normal arterial endothelium and lymphatic neovessels.
Conclusions:
- This study demonstrates FSHR expression in key cellular components of human atherosclerotic plaques, including endothelial cells and macrophages.
- The findings suggest that FSHR plays a role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
- FSHR's presence indicates a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis treatment.
