title: Atherosclerotic plaque caps are locally weakened when macrophages density is increased.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Kings College, University of London, U.K.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lendon
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Born
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: 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