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Published on: May 19, 2017
Endothelial cell icam-1 staining in human carotid arteries
G T Jones1, A M van Rij2, I A Thomson2
1Departments of Surgery, Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand; Departments of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Insights
Human carotid artery studies reveal varied intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) staining patterns on endothelial cells near atherosclerotic lesions. These differences suggest localized functional variations of ICAM-1 in response to hemodynamic stress.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Atherosclerosis research
Background:
- Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays a role in inflammatory processes within atherosclerotic lesions.
- Endothelial cell morphology and ICAM-1 expression may vary depending on anatomical location and hemodynamic forces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial distribution and staining patterns of ICAM-1 on human carotid artery endothelial cells.
- To correlate ICAM-1 expression patterns with endothelial cell morphology and leukocyte adhesion in atherosclerotic regions.
Main Methods:
- Human carotid artery specimens (n=18) were analyzed using an en face technique.
- Endothelial cell morphology and ICAM-1 staining intensity/patterns were characterized.
- Localization of adherent leukocytes was documented.
Main Results:
- Endothelial cells exhibited distinct morphologies (polyhedral vs. elongated) and ICAM-1 staining patterns (cell border, cell surface/nuclear profile) at different carotid artery locations.
- ICAM-1 staining intensity and patterns were heterogeneous, particularly around the carotid bifurcation and post-stenotic regions.
- Adherent leukocytes were predominantly found associated with polyhedral endothelial cells in post-stenotic areas.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial cell morphology and ICAM-1 expression patterns are heterogeneous in atherosclerotic human carotid arteries.
- Observed variations in ICAM-1 staining suggest distinct functional properties influenced by anatomical localization and hemodynamic stresses.
- These findings contribute to understanding the localized inflammatory mechanisms in atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
In this study human carotid artery specimens from 18 patients were examined by an en face technique to demonstrate the endothelial cell staining of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Endothelial cells about the carotid bifurcation and within the post-stenotic region of the internal carotid artery were predominately polyhedral in shape with heterogenous but often intense ICAM-1 staining. Endothelium lining the partially stenosed lumen of the intern carotid orifice were elongated with ICAM-1 staining often polarized at the proximal end of the cell. There were two dominant patterns of ICAM-1 staining associated with polyhedral endothelial cells, cell border, and cell surface/nuclear profile staining. Polyhedral cells at the proximal end of the internal carotid artery stenosis appeared to have both patterns while those at the distal end were most often observed with only the cell surface expression pattern. Adherent leukocytes were mostly observed in association with polyhedral endothelial cells especially in the post-stenotic internal carotid and were uncommon within stenoses. These results indicate heterogeneity not only of endothelial cell morphology but also in the intensity and pattern of staining of ICAM-1 about atherosclerotic lesions. This may be indicative of different functional properties for ICAM-1 depending on anatomical localization and consequent hemodynamic stresses.
