Localization of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in the smooth muscle cells and macrophages of human atherosclerotic plaques.
Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a potent chemoattractant and mitogen for smooth muscle cells (SMC) in culture. To elucidate whether HB-EGF is implicated in the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis, we examined immunohistochemical localization of HB-EGF in human aortic walls and atherosclerotic plaques. The medial SMC of the aorta in babies and children synthesized HB-EGF protein, while the number of SMC producing HB-EGF was dramatically decreased in young and middle-aged adults. In atherosclerotic plaques, however, marked production of HB-EGF protein was detected in SMC and macrophages of the plaques. Furthermore, EGF receptors, to which HB-EGF is known to bind, were detected in plaque SMC. These data suggest that HB-EGF may be implicated in the migration and proliferation of SMC that occurs in the normal development of arterial walls, and in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Miyagawa
J
J
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, Yamadaoka, Japan.
Higashiyama
S
S
Kawata
S
S
Inui
Y
Y
Tamura
S
S
Yamamoto
K
K
Nishida
M
M
Nakamura
T
T
Yamashita
S
S
Matsuzawa
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000378:metabolism; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry*
C587883:HBEGF protein, human; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D006493:Heparin; D066246:ErbB Receptors