The association of platelet-derived growth factor receptor expression, plaque morphology and histological features with symptoms in carotid atherosclerosis.
Platelet-derived growth factor may influence smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation and, therefore, carotid plaque composition and stenosis. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor expression and histological features were compared in carotid plaques from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Immunocytochemistry and histology determined platelet-derived growth factor-alpha and -beta receptor expression, white blood cell infiltration, smooth muscle cell, elastin, cholesterol, collagen and intraplaque haemorrhage in carotid artery plaques removed at surgery or the post-mortem. Plaques with > 70% stenosis from asymptomatic (n = 10) and symptomatic patients (n = 27) had higher expression of platelet-derived growth factor and beta receptors and higher scores for macrophages and intraplaque haemorrhage than plaques with < 70% stenosis from asymptomatic patients (n = 33). Plaques with > 70% stenosis from symptomatic patients had significantly lower alpha receptor expression than plaques with > 70% stenosis from asymptomatic patients. The reduction of alpha receptor expression, which may inhibit smooth muscle cell migration, suggests that differential expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor subunits in plaques may be related to symptoms.
Irvine
C D
CD
Department of Surgery, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
George
S J
SJ
Sheffield
E
E
Johnson
J L
JL
Davies
A H
AH
Lamont
P M
PM
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002455:Cell Division; D018450:Disease Progression; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015415:Biomarkers; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor