10 research outputs found
Identification of dendritic cells in aortic atherosclerotic lesions in rats with diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia
We have previously identified dendritic cells
(DCs) in the intima of human large arteries. These
vascular DCs are common in atherosclerotic lesions but
their immature forms are also present in normal arterial
intima. Pathophysiological studies on vascular DCs are
limited because they have only been studied in human
specimens obtained at operation or post-mortem. The
aim of the current study was to determine whether DCs
participate in the development of atherosclerotic lesions
in hypercholesterolemic rats. Male Wistar rats were
divided into a control (n=13) and experimental cohort
(n=48). The experimental animals were fed an
atherogenic diet and 1% saline, while the controls were
fed standard rat cubes and water. The aortas were
obtained from both groups at 10, 20, and 30 weeks
following commencement of the diet. An en face
immunohistochemical technique, routine section
i m m u n o h i s t o c h e m i s t r y, and transmission electron
microscopy were used to detect the presence of DCs in
the aortas. Examination of the aortas showed that S100+
cells with dendritic cell morphology were present in the
aortic intima of hypercholesterolemic rats. The S100+
DCs displayed immunopositivity for OX-62 and MHC
Class II antibodies. Within various types of
atherosclerotic lesions, these cells were clustered
throughout the intima but were especially prominent
around arterial branch-points where they co-localized
with various cell types, including T-cells and
macrophages. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed the
presence of cells with characteristics typical of DCs.
These features included the presence of a welldeveloped
tubulovesicular system, dendritic processes,
and a lack of secondary lysosomes and phagosomes.
This study establishes the presence of DCs in the aortic
intima of rats with diet-induced atherosclerosis. The
presence of DCs in this model of experimental
atherogenesis could provide a new approach to investigating the function of DCs and may help clarify
the immune-inflammatory mechanisms underlying
atherosclerosis
Dendritic cells in the arterial wall express C1q: Potential significance in atherogenesis
10.1016/S0008-6363(03)00345-6Cardiovascular Research601175-186CVRE
Detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in dendritic cells in atherosclerotic lesions
Atherosclerosis1732185-195ATHS
Expression of GM3 synthase in human atherosclerotic lesions
10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.04.019Atherosclerosis184163-7