Factor Seven Activating Protease (FSAP) expression in human monocytes and accumulation in unstable coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
OBJECTIVE
The Factor Seven Activating Protease (FSAP) is known to influence fibrinolysis and to play a critical role in the inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration as well as neointima formation. In order to define the role of FSAP in vascular pathophysiology we have investigated the expression of FSAP protein and mRNA in human vascular cells and coronary atherosclerotic plaques with defined clinical features.


RESULTS
Directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) specimens from 40 lesions were analyzed for FSAP antigen and mRNA expression. Higher level of FSAP mRNA (p<0.001) as well as FSAP immunostaining (p<0.005) was observed in patients with acute coronary syndromes compared to patients with stable angina pectoris. FSAP antigen was found to be focally accumulated in hypocellular and lipid-rich areas within the necrotic core of atherosclerotic plaques. FSAP was also co-localized with CD11b/CD68 expressing cells in macrophage-rich shoulder regions of the plaques. Monocyte-derived macrophages expressed FSAP in vitro and this was further induced by pro-inflammatory mediators.


CONCLUSIONS
FSAP accumulation in coronary atherosclerotic lesions is due to either local synthesis by monocytes/macrophages, or uptake from the plasma due to plaque hemorrhage. The higher expression of FSAP in unstable plaques suggests that it may destabilize plaque through reducing VSMC proliferation/migration and altering the hemostatic balance.
Parahuleva
Mariana S
MS
Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Kanse
Sandip M
SM
Institute for Biochemistry, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Parviz
Behnoush
B
Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Barth
Andreas
A
Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Tillmanns
Harald
H
Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Bohle
Rainer M
RM
Institute of General and Specialist Pathology, Homburg, Germany.
Sedding
Daniel G
DG
Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Hölschermann
Hans
H
Hochtaunusklinik Internal Medicine I/Cardiology and Angiology, Urseler Straße 33, 61348 Bad Homburg, Germany. Electronic address: hans.hoelschermann@hochtaunus-kliniken.de.
D000368:Aged; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000503:physiopathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C433550:HABP2 protein, human; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases