title: Analysis of the T cell receptor V beta repertoire in human aortic aneurysms.
abstract: Human aortic aneurysm is commonly characterized by the presence of advanced atherosclerosis associated with variable chronic adventitial inflammation. Histological examination of human aortic aneurysmal specimens revealed the presence of plasma cells and lymphoid aggregates in media and adventitia of the vessels. Immunostaining further demonstrated that CD3-positive T lymphocytes are present in follicles. Using a highly sensitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification method, the T cell receptor (TCR) V beta gene expression in aortic aneurysms was shown to be polyclonal. Furthermore. there was no preferential expression of any TCR V beta gene in the aortic tissue as compared with that in peripheral blood in aneurysmal patients. These results indicate that the TCR repertoire in aortic aneurysm is not restricted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Research, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chau
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D019674:Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005810:Multigene Family; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta