Expression of vascular adhesion molecules in saphenous vein coronary bypass grafts.
BACKGROUND
Adhesion of blood elements to the endothelium is an important step in the development of vein graft disease. This study examines the expression of vascular adhesion molecules on explanted saphenous vein bypass grafts.


METHODS
Immunocytochemical staining was performed using explanted saphenous vein grafts from 28 patients. Antibodies against the endothelial markers CD31, von Willebrand factor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin were used.


RESULTS
Staining for CD31 and von Willebrand factor demonstrated the presence of endothelial cells in the lumen and the vasa vasorum. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was variable between grafts, whereas vascular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin were almost always absent on the luminal endothelium. In contrast, the endothelium of the vasa vasorum stained positively for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular adhesion molecule-1, and was also seen on nonendothelial cells within the vessel wall. Expression of these adhesion molecules did not vary with the severity of vein graft disease.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the blood vessels in the adventitia as possible sites for the adhesion and migration of cells into the vessel wall.
Chester
A H
AH
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine, Harefield Hospital, Middlesex, United Kingdom.
Morrison
K J
KJ
Yacoub
M H
MH
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000473:pathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D002465:Cell Movement; D004396:Coloring Agents; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000473:pathology; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D004396:Coloring Agents; D019040:E-Selectin; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1