Expression of Desmocollin-1 in Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques and Calcific Aortic Valves

Atherosclerosis and calcific aortic valve stenosis are active, regulated processes sharing features, such as lipid infiltration, extracellular matrix deposition, cellular proliferation, and calcification. Their exact mechanisms remain unclear. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is central to reverse cholesterol transport, and Desmocollin-1 (DSC1) has recently been implicated in HDL biogenesis. This study assessed DSC1 expression and localization in atherosclerotic plaques and calcific aortic valves.

Human carotid artery specimens (19 subjects: plaques and normal tissue) and aortic valves (50 subjects: stenotic calcific and normal) were collected. DSC1 mRNA expression was measured by quantitative RT-PCR, and protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses.

DSC1 mRNA and protein were abundantly expressed in carotid plaques and stenotic calcific valves, but not in normal tissues. In calcified valves, DSC1 localized to lipid cores, inflammatory cells, and microvessels. In carotid plaques, DSC1 was mainly found in foam cells and myointimal cells.

DSC1 expression is significantly increased in both atherosclerotic plaques and stenotic calcific valves, suggesting a role in lipid metabolism abnormalities. These findings point to DSC1 as a potential contributor to disease pathogenesis and warrant further targeted investigation.