title: Evidence for CD34/SMA positive cells in the left main coronary artery in atherogenesis.
abstract: Regression of atherosclerosis is a key aspect of preventing further coronary artery disease and understanding which cell type forms smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic fibrous caps will aid in reducing CAD. Atherogenesis is a complex interplay of cells migrating and proliferating into the vascular wall. CD34 positive hemapoetic stem cells are believed to not transform into vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). The current study hypothesised that there would be no evidence for CD34(+)/α SMC actin(+) cells in atherosclerotic coronary arteries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify CD34+/α actin positive cells in the fibrous cap and wall of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary artery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male New Zealand White rabbits were fed a diet containing 0.5% cholesterol and 1% methionine for 4 weeks, then 9 weeks of normal diet to induce regression. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD34(+) haematopoietic progenitor cells and α SMC actin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the fibrous cap, the majority of cells were CD34(-)/α SMC actin(+) spindle shaped cells. However very rare populations of CD34(+)/α SMC actin(+) and CD34(+)/α SMC actin(-) cells were also present but these cells were not spindle shaped.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study found that CD34(+)/α SMC actin(-) spindle shaped cells were absent from the fibrous cap. Moreover, the predominant cell population were the vascular smooth muscle cells (CD34(-)/α SMC actin(+)) but (CD34(+)/α SMC actin(+)) cells were also present. This model could be used to understand the role of each SMC population subtype to hasten atherosclerotic regression in the coronary artery.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Structural Biology and Proteomics, Central Laboratories, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic. Electronic address: kruzliakpeter@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kruzliak
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Australia.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hare
authors.affiliation: 2(nd) Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sabaka
authors.affiliation: Department Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Delian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Delev
authors.affiliation: 2(nd) Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Ludovit
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaspar
authors.affiliation: Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Chronic Disease (CCD), College of Health and Biomedicine Victoria University, Australia. Electronic address: Anthony.Zulli@vu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zulli
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D017252:CD3 Complex
keywords: Atherogenesis; Atherosclerosis; CD34(+)/α SMC actin(+) cells; Coronary artery disease; Fibrous cap