[Immunohistochemical study of the role of mast cells and macrophages in the process of angiogenesis in the atherosclerotic plaques in patients with metabolic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the histotopographic distribution of neogenic vessels, the degree of mast cell degranulation, the expression of markers of macrophages in different types of plaques in different stages and in different arterial vessels in patients with atherosclerosis and in those with metabolic syndrome associated with atherosclerosis and to establish the role of mast cells and macrophages in the development of stages of atherosclerosis along with their diagnostic and prognostic value. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fragments of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, middle cerebral, carotid, renal, and iliac, and vertebral arteries from 34 persons who had died from atherosclerosis (n=17) and atherosclerotic complications due to metabolic syndrome (n=17) were examined. The investigators employed standard techniques, such as hematoxylin-eosin or orcein staining; silver impregnation. They used immunohistochemical staining with anti-mast cell tryptase (anti-MCT) for the determination of mast cells, the specific markers CD68 for macrophages, and CD105 (endoglin) for neogenic vessels. RESULTS: The immunohistochemical technique is effective in identifying mast cells, macrophages, and neogenic vessels in atherosclerotic plaques. They were found in many types of atherosclerotic plaques, advantium, and subendothelial layers in the immediate vicinity of the plaques. There was a statistical correlation between the types of plaques and clinical data, which is of importance in elucidating the specific features of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in patients with metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: CD105 is a sensitive marker for neogenic endothelial cells, an effective indicator of microvascular activation and proliferation in the atherosclerotic plaques. Neovascularization in the plaques frequently begins in the intima, progresses, and gives rise to their further destabilization. Anti-MCT staining used to reveal mast cells and CD68 for macrophages can elucidate the important patterns of development of atherosclerosis and its complications in patients with metabolic disturbances.

[Prelipid stage of the morphogenesis of atherosclerosis]. / Dolipidnaia stadiia morfogeneza ateroskleroza.

On the basis of presented data it can be concluded, that in the preclinical stage of atherosclerosis development when macroscopically observable arterial lesions are still undetectable, a complex process of structural-functional changes takes place in the arterial wall. Under modern methods of investigation it was shown that the concept of "pre lipid" stage of atherosclerosis morphogenesis is somewhat conventional. The infiltration of atherogenic lipoproteids in the arterial wall, their modification and interaction with cell elements of vascular wall serve the basis for complex cell reactions directed to adaptation to new conditions and expelling of excessive lipoproteids. The obtained data introduce a new level of knowledge about patho- and morphogenesis of atherosclerosis.

[Arterial elastin in atherosclerosis and hypertensive disease]. / Elastin arterii pri ateroskleroze i gipertonicheskoi bolezni

Elasticity and elastin of arteries in 106 dead people aged 14--74 years were investigated using physico-chemical methods. Depending on the character of morphological manifestations, aortas and arteries were divided into following groups: 1) without morphological manifestations of atherosclerosis; 2) affected by atherosclerosis; 3) vessels of patients who had suffered from atherosclerosis and hypertensive disease; 4) aortas and arteries of patients with atherosclerosis in combination with other somatic diseases. In atherosclerosis and hypertensive disease there were observed specific shifts in the character and intensity of fluorescence of elastin and elasticity as a whole. The intensity of primary fluorescence as an atherosclerotic process progressed and in concomitant hypertensive disease gradually changed. In atherosclerosis there were noted changes in transversal bands in elastin. The growth of transversal bands and intensity of fluorescence were found to be interrelated. Optical density of dissolved elastin with wave lengths (lambda) 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 360, 400, 490 nm and pH 7.7 and 8.6 was studied. The peak of intensity of absorption of the solution of elastin in all groups referred to above was noted at the wave length lambda=240 nm. Amino-acid composition of dissolved elastin was also studied. It was established that as the process of atherosclerosis progressed, the content of lysine in the wall increased depending on the phase of the process -- lipoidosis, atheromatosis, etc. In the vascular wall there were observed changes in monoamino-oxidase, the latter being of particular importance for maintaining the level of cuprum in tissues.