title: The elevated expression of calcitonin receptor by cells recruited into the endothelial layer and neo-intima of atherosclerotic plaque.
abstract: Calcitonin receptor-immunoreactive (CTR-ir) endothelial and foam cells were identified in atherosclerotic plaque within the abdominal and thoracic aortas of rabbits fed a cholesterol-supplemented diet. Initially, cells within the endothelial layers of nascent atherosclerotic plaque of arteries were also CD34-positive, a marker of precursor cells of the haematopoietic lineage. In a further rabbit model with more advanced cardiovascular disease, CTR-ir cells were located deeper within the plaque as well as within the endothelial layer overlying the neo-intima. Finally, in the third model, in which the 4-week period on the atherogenic diet was followed by a 12-week period of regression on a normal chow diet, during which serum cholesterol levels returned to the normal range, CTR-ir was markedly reduced in the stabilized fibrous cap of plaque. Thus, the expression of CTR is associated with the early cellular events involved in plaque formation and is down-regulated as stabilisation of plaque progresses in the process of healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Austin Campus, Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia. pwookey@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Wookey
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zulli
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D018003:Receptors, Calcitonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D018003:Receptors, Calcitonin