title: Macrophage CD14 expression in human carotid plaques is associated with complicated lesions, correlates with thrombosis, and is reduced by angiotensin receptor blocker treatment.
abstract: CD14 is a predictor of inflammation and associated with atherosclerosis. We analyzed 118 carotid plaques from patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis for expression of the macrophage markers CD14, CD68 and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R). CD14 staining was significantly increased in thrombotic carotid plaques. AT1-R staining was found in macrophage-rich areas, and AT1-R mRNA was detected in plaque macrophages isolated with anti-CD14 immunobeads. In patients treated with an angiotensin receptor blocker, expression of CD14 and CD68 in carotid plaque and serum levels of inflammatory markers were lower than in untreated patients. In vitro, expression of CD14 in human monocyte-derived macrophages was increased by exposure to lipopolysaccharide and decreased by exposure to an angiotensin receptor blocker. Thus, inhibition of the innate immune responsive lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 in macrophages, rather than AT1-R inhibition, may help explain the anti-inflammatory effects of angiotensin receptor blockade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, S-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hermansson
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, S-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lundqvist
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, S-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lisa U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, S-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ullström
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, S-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bergström
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, S-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-41345 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: Lillemor.Mattsson@wlab.gu.se.
authors.forename: Lillemor Mattsson
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hultén
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000276:immunology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000276:immunology*; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D016207:Cytokines; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
keywords: Angiotensin receptor blocker; CD14; Carotid plaques; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Thrombosis