[Immunohistologic cell characterization of tissue of primary and re-stenoses]

Smooth muscle cells and macrophages are essential parts of arteriosclerotic lesions. This study should enable the analysis of different functional and morphological features of cells in primary and restenotic biopsies. Therefore detection of specific cell markers in human arteriosclerotic material derived from directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) of primary and restenotic lesions was used. Cryosections (2-4 microns) were stained immunohistologically (44 samples from 27 patients, 12 restenosis) with monoclonal antibodies. For further analysis antibodies against 5B5 (Prolylhydroxylase), alpha-actin, desmin and collagen I and IV were used. Endothelial structures (CD 31), T-cells and monocyte derived macrophages (CD 68, KP 1) were detected. In a second set-up alpha-actin and CD 68 were double-labelled. Semi-quantitative analysis in relation to total cell count was performed. The tissue removed consisted quantitatively of 78% intima- and 22% media-compartments and thrombus. 40% of the intimal area was comprised of low cellular compartments and in 57% high cellularity and foam-cells were found. In high cellular compartments 81% of the cells were positive for alpha-actin, only 13% of these cells were also positive for desmin. In intimal compartments in 58% of the cells macrophages were detected by CD-68 marker immunohistologically. 87% of these cells showed the expression of the 5B5 antigen (Prolylhydroxylase), in 90% monocytic antigenes were detected. Typical foam cells were not alpha-actin positive, whereas 40% of the CD 68 positive cells were alpha-actin positive. In myofibroblastic cells, positive staining with 5B5, collagen IV and extracellular matrix (collagen I) was present. Staining with antibodies against contractile filaments was diminished compared to the media compartments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)