Angiogenesis in abdominal aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the degree of neovascularisation in the wall of abdominal aortic aneurysms in comparison to atherosclerotic control aortas, and to correlate the angiogenic response with the extent of the cellular inflammatory infiltrate.


METHODS
Histopathological study.


METHODS
Aortic samples were obtained from patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms and from atherosclerotic controls.


METHODS
Samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and Miller's elastin and Van Gieson stain, EVG, and a monoclonal antibody specific to human endothelial cells. Within the aortic wall three histological regions were defined, the media, the adventitia and a transition zone. The number of capillary like, thin walled vessels were measured in each region, and the cellular infiltrate was quantified.


RESULTS
The number of newly formed vessels was increased in all layers of aneurysmal wall in comparison to control samples (p<0.001). The degree of neovascularisation correlated with the extent of the inflammatory infiltrate (rs=0.45, p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that abdominal aortic aneurysms are associated with a marked angiogenic response, which is related to the degree of inflammation within the aortic wall. It is hypothesised that anti-angiogenic agents may play a role in the medical management of aortic aneurysmal disease.
Thompson
M M
MM
Department of Surgery, University of Leicester, U.K.
Jones
L
L
Nasim
A
A
Sayers
R D
RD
Bell
P R
PR
D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015588:Observer Variation