Atherosclerotic plaque caps are locally weakened when macrophages density is increased.
The density of macrophages, identified by the antibody EBMII, in human aortic plaque caps was counted. A contiguous strip of cap tissue was tested mechanically. Aortic plaque caps which had undergone rupture (ulceration) at one end (n = 18) were compared with caps of intact plaques (n = 22). The caps of ruptured plaques showed a significant increase in macrophage density, an increased extensibility and decreased maximum stress (force per unit area) at fracture when compared with caps from intact plaques.
Lendon
C L
CL
Department of Pharmacology, Kings College, University of London, U.K.
Davies
M J
MJ
Born
G V
GV
Richardson
P D
PD
D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002452:Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical