Localization coexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-2,-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor in unstable human carotid atherosclerosis plaques / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the localization coexpression in situ of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2,-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in human atherosclerotic unstable plaques with monocytes,smooth muscle cells(SMCs)and endothelial cells(ECs).Methods The histopathologic changes of unstable human atherosclerotic plaques were observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining,and the localization coexpression of MMP-2,MMP-8 and VEGF in the unstable human atherosclerotic plaques were observed by double fluorescent immunochemistry technology and confocal microscopy.Results The human atherosclerotic plaques in 6 cases had typical histopathologic instability,which was classified as super-Ⅳ type unstable plaques.The MMP-2 coexpression was the most obvious in the smooth muscle cells of fibrous cap infiltrated by monocyts,and in the monocytes of shoulder of plaques,and more expression of MMP-2 in the microvascular endothelial cells at the edge of shoulder and lipid necrosis;MMP-8 coexpressed obviously with the monocytes in the fibrous cap and lipid cores of plaques,and next to coexpressing in the smooth muscle cells of fibrous cap,while coexpression in endothelial cells was very little;VEGF coexpression was significant in the proliferative microvascular endothelial cells of plaques;The fibrous cap,which consisted of the smooth muscle cells mainly,and the edge of lipid necrosis infiltrated by more monocyts,were over-expression areas of VEGF.Conclnsions MMP-2,-8 and VEGF can coexpress with monocytes,SMCs and ECs in unstable plaques,and the major expression areas are in the fibrous cap,shoulder and micro-vessel at the edge of lipid necrosis,which are infiltrated by monocytes.Moreover,the outer membrane of vessel is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.