title: Abdominal aortic aneurysm and histological, clinical, radiological correlation.
abstract: To date, the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) still remains unclear. As such, the aim of this study was to evaluate changes of the aortic structure during AAA. We analysed the microscopic frame of vessels sections, starting from the primum movens leading to abnormal dilatation. AAA samples were collected and processed through various staining methods (Verhoeff-Van Gieson, Masson Goldner, Sirius Red). Subsequently, the vessel morphology and collagenic web of the tunica media and adventitia were determined and the amount of type I and type III collagen was measured. We also applied immune-histochemistry markers for CD34 and PGP 9.5 in order to identify vascular and nerve structures in the aorta. Immune-positivity quantification was used to calculate the percentage of the stained area. We found increasing deposition of type I collagen and reduced type III collagen in both tunica media and adventitia of AAA. The total amount of vasa vasorum, marked with CD34, and nerva vasorum, marked with PGP 9.5, was also higher in AAA samples. Cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, dyslipidemia, cigarette smoking) and radiological data (maximum aneurism diameter, intra-luminal thrombus, aortic wall calcification) increased these changes. These results suggest that the tunica adventitia may have a central role in the pathogenesis of AAA as clearly there are major changes characterized by rooted inflammatory infiltration. The presence of immune components could explain these modifications within the framework of the aorta.
authors: Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, V.le Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Luigi Fabrizio
authors: LF
authors: Rodella
authors: Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, V.le Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Rezzani
authors: Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, V.le Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy. Electronic address: francesca.bonomini@unibs.it.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Bonomini
authors: Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery, University of Brescia, A.O. Spedali Civili di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Peroni
authors: Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, V.le Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Marco Angelo
authors: MA
authors: Cocchi
authors: Department for Systematic Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Lena
authors: L
authors: Hirtler
authors: Vascular Surgery, Department of General Surgery, University of Brescia, A.O. Spedali Civili di Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Bonardelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I
keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm; Clinic feature; Histology; Radiology