title: Endothelin in the middle cerebral artery: a case of multiple system atrophy.
abstract: In this study, we show the changes in the wall of the middle cerebral artery of a subject who suffered multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure. An electron-immunocytochemical approach was employed to reveal the presence of endothelin-1. Our results demonstrate the presence of immunoreactive endothelin-1 in the endothelial cells of the intima, vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages of the media and neointima, and perivascular nerves/axons varicosities at the adventitial-medial border of the artery. It is concluded that endothelin-1 may, therefore, play a number of roles within diseased cerebral artery. The finding of endothelin-1-positive varicosities of autonomic innervation to this artery suggests an influence of neural endothelin on vascular smooth muscle in multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure. However, the presence of features such as neointima formation, wall irregularities and foam cells suggest the coexistence of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Isla
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mickey
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kilford
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kingsbury
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loesch
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; C005752:araldite