[Expression of urotensinII in human coronary artery and coronary atherosclerosis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the expression intensity of urotensinII (UII) in normal and atheromatous human coronary artery and explore its significance in coronary atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Specimens of coronary arteries were obtained from 5 normal subjects and the expression of human UII in the specimens was detected by immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
UII expression was found in the endothelial cells (ECs), foam cells (FCs), inflammatory cells (ICs) and intima smooth muscle cells (ISMs) of human coronary artery. Even in the normal coronary artery, UII expression could be detected immunohistochemically in the ECs, which, however, was characterized by higher UII expression levels in fatty streak lesions but by almost normal levels in fibrous and atheromatous plaque in the coronary artery. Enhanced UII expression was observed in FCs and ICs when fibrous plaque and atheromatous plaque developed in comparison with that in fatty streak lesions. The ISMs in all the lesions had mild UII immunoreactivity, but as the atherosclerosis exacerbated, the immunoreactivity tended to intensify.


CONCLUSIONS
Human UII may regulate the functions of ECs, FCs, ICs and ISMs in the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis.
Tu
Xiao-wen
XW
Department of Cardiology, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. tuxw1968@163.com
Liu
Ying-feng
YF
Li
Zhi-liang
ZL
Wu
Hong-chao
HC
Lu
Qing
Q
Tang
Chao-shu
CS
D000328:Adult; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000737:chemistry*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014579:Urotensins / Q000032:analysis*
D014579:Urotensins; C029677:urotensin II