Synthesis of TNF alpha and TGF beta mRNA in the different micro-environments within atheromatous plaques.
OBJECTIVE
To examine localisation of tumour necrosis factor (TNF alpha) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) mRNA synthesis in human coronary artery atheromatous plaques, to explore how synthesis of these cytokines relates to distribution of macrophages and smooth muscle cells, and to correlate this with plaque micro-environments.


METHODS
In situ hybridisation with digoxigenin-labelled sense and anti-sense riboprobes was used, combined with immunohistochemistry to detect TNF alpha protein, macrophage, lymphocyte and smooth muscle cell markers.


RESULTS
In the intimal plaque TNF alpha mRNA is synthesised by monocytes/macrophages as well as by smooth muscle cells. Both TNF alpha and TGF beta mRNAs were present at the margins of the lesions and in reactive areas, where there was little lipid and fibrosis. Focal aggregates of macrophages in the adventitia expressed both TNF alpha mRNA and protein and TGF beta mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
Synthesis of these two cytokines by macrophages as well as smooth muscle cells contributes to the pathobiology of the plaque and that this is part of the 'reaction to injury', rather than a feature of a specific cell, or a specific layer, within the vessel wall.
Rayment
N B
NB
British Heart Foundation Atherosclerosis Research Group, University College London Medical School, UK.
Moss
E
E
Faulkner
L
L
Brickell
P M
PM
Davies
M J
MJ
Woolf
N
N
Katz
D R
DR
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha