[Pathway for macrophage invasion into the tunica media and the intima in vein graft].
OBJECTIVE
To test whether the macrophages in vein grafts may invade into the vascular wall from the adventitia apart from the lumen.


METHODS
Expression of CD68 (a marker of macrophage) and CD31 (a marker of endothelial cells) in 30 vein grafts were detected by confocal immunofluroscence. Images were processed with Silicon Graphics Octane.


RESULTS
In normal veins, there were a few CD68 positive cells in the adventitia, but few CD68 positive cells were found in the media and the intima. In the diseased vein, CD68 positive cells were significantly increased and present in all layers of the vascular wall, the adventitia, media and intima, extending from the adventitia to the media. There was a close relationship between the penetration of CD68 positive cells into the media from the adventitia and the angiogenesis in the media.


CONCLUSIONS
The adventitia may be an important pathway for macrophage invasion.
Wu
Xiao-qiong
XQ
Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
Cai
Wei-jun
WJ
Luo
Xue-gang
XG
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology* / Q000637:transplantation; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule