Expression of cytokeratin 8 in human aortic smooth muscle cells.
An immunofluorescence method was used to study the expression of cytokeratin 8 in human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during prenatal development and in atherosclerotic plaques. Aortic SMCs from a 10-wk-old fetus contained cytokeratin 8 in additional to vimentin and a small amount of desmin, whereas, in the cells from a 25-wk-old fetus, cytokeratin 8 was not detected. Cytokeratin 8 was found in the SMCs from intimal thickenings, fatty streaks, and atherosclerotic fibrous plaques. Clusters of cytokeratin 8-positive cells were more abundant in rather advanced lesions (fibrous plaques) that contained at least some amount of lipid. Expression of cytokeratin 8 in the cells of human atherosclerotic lesions probably reflects general rearrangement of gene expression in the intimal cells.
Glukhova
M A
MA
Institute of Experimental Cardiology, USSR Cardiology Research Center, Moscow.
Shekhonin
B V
BV
Kruth
H
H
Koteliansky
V E
VE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000378:metabolism; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D007633:Keratins