[Immunohistochemical observations on production and distribution of endothelin in atherosclerosis plaques]

An analysis of endothelin in atherosclerotic plaques using immunohistochemical methods showed that endothelin not only existed in endothelial cells, large amounts were also found in the proliferating intimal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In the de-endothelized thoracic aorta of rats, significant amounts of endothelin could be produced by proliferating intimal VSMC. Radio-immunological studies demonstrated that the extent of VSMC proliferation was in direct ratio to endothelin content, which suggests that production of endothelin is related to proliferation of VSMC in atherosclerotic plaques.