Atherosclerotic plaque caps are locally weakened when macrophages density is increased

C L Lendon; M J Davies; G V Born; P D Richardson

doi:10.1016/0021-9150(91)90235-u

Atherosclerotic plaque caps are locally weakened when macrophages density is increased

Atherosclerosis. 1991 Mar;87(1):87-90. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(91)90235-u.

Authors

C L Lendon¹, M J Davies, G V Born, P D Richardson

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Kings College, University of London, U.K.

PMID: 1872926
DOI: 10.1016/0021-9150(91)90235-u

Abstract

The density of macrophages, identified by the antibody EBMII, in human aortic plaque caps was counted. A contiguous strip of cap tissue was tested mechanically. Aortic plaque caps which had undergone rupture (ulceration) at one end (n = 18) were compared with caps of intact plaques (n = 22). The caps of ruptured plaques showed a significant increase in macrophage density, an increased extensibility and decreased maximum stress (force per unit area) at fracture when compared with caps from intact plaques.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aorta / pathology
Aorta / physiopathology
Arteriosclerosis / pathology*
Arteriosclerosis / physiopathology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Cell Count
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Macrophages / pathology*
Stress, Mechanical