[The role of mast cell population in aortic intima in development of human atherosclerosis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of mast cells in development of human atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Autopsy material (transverse cross-sections of the aorta and membranous preparations of intima) from 53 persons who died of accidental causes. Original method of the study of aortic cellular populations on membranous preparations of intima allowed to analyze character of accumulation of lipids in fatty streaks, as well as changes of mast cells and relative amount of various cellular populations in intact intima and during development of early atherosclerotic lesions.


RESULTS
In intact intima mast cells are consistently found, their quantity depends on age and degree of intimal hyperplasia. Density of mast cell population in age groups 17-29 and 30-49 years was 5.8 and 9.6 cells/mm2, respectively. Ratio of mast cells to total amount of lymphocytes and monocytes was 1:6. Two types of fatty streaks ('early' and 'transitional') can be distinguished depending on structure of lipid inclusions and cellular composition. Compared with intact intima 'early' fatty streaks have increased content of lymphocytes and monocytes. Average density of mast cells in early streaks is 12.2 cells/mm2 with ratio of mast cells to total amount of lymphocytes and monocytes 1:11. Development of 'transitional' fatty streaks preceding plaque formation is characterized by signs of inflammation with multifold increase of content of lymphocytes and monocytes and ratio of amount of mast cells to that of mononuclear cells 1:20. Density of mast cells including their degranulating forms is the highest (18.1 cells/mm2) on periphery of 'transitional' fatty streaks while substantially smaller amount of mast cells (3.2 cells/mm2) can be found in central areas of these streaks.


CONCLUSIONS
Mast cells actively participate in atherogenesis, development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Formation of fatty streaks in human aorta is associated with signs of immune inflammation (lymphocytic-monocytic reaction and increased amount of mast cells).
Zhdanov
V S
VS
Drobkova
I P
IP
Tcherpachenko
N M
NM
Sirotkin
V N
VN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*