title: Adventitial inflammation: a possible pathogenic link to the instability of atherosclerotic plaque.
abstract: A variety of cells, including fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages, and ganglionic cells, are present in coronary artery adventitia. In the infarct-related coronary arteries of myocardial infarction patients, the majority of mast cells are found in the outer layer of the adventitia. Neurogenic stimulation of mast cells in the adventitia of coronary arteries may release vasoactive compounds, such as histamine and leukotrienes, which can contribute to the complex neurohormonal response that leads to abnormal coronary vasoconstriction. Lymphocytes and bacteria are also present mainly in the adventitial layer. Chlamydia pneumoniae is directly involved in the development of adventitial and plaque inflammation (pan-arteritis), leading to plaque rupture. Adventitial O(2)(-) may also play an extensive role in the control of vascular tone. Therefore, adventitial inflammation may play a pivotal role for atherosclerotic lesion development and atheroma instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, PR China.
authors.forename: Cheng Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Ji Zhou
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Fei Fei
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Cong Xin
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001167:Arteritis / Q000209:etiology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular
chemical_list: D015289:Leukotrienes