Expression of heparanase and angiogenesis in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques / 中国脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression characteristics of heparinase (Hpa) and angiogenesis in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Methods Fifty-five consecutive patients with atherosclerotic stenosis in internal carotid artery system treated with carotid endarterectomy (atherosclerosis group) at the Department of Neurosurgery,Fuxing Hospital,Capital Medical University from December 2014 to December 2017 were enrolled retrospectively. They were confirmed by imaging methods,such as vascular ultrasound, CT angiography and/or DSA. According to the atherosclerotic histopathological classification method of American Heart Association, the well-defined advanced atherosclerotic plaques (types IV- VI) were screened as carotid atherosclerotic plaque specimens (ra =73). According to the morphological classification criteria,73carotid atherosclerotic plaque specimens were divided into vulnerable plaques (n =42) and metastatic plaques (n =31). Autopsy was performed at the Department of Pathology, Peking University Medical School at the same time,and 15 patients without atherosclerotic lesions were identified as non-atherosclerotic group (15 normal arterial specimens). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to analyze the expression characteristics of Hpa and neovascularization in carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Results (1) There was no Hpa expression in normal arterial tissue; in the carotid atherosclerotic plaque,the positive expression rate of Hpa was 64.4% (47/73). (2) Compared with the metastatic plaques, the positive expression rate of Hpa in the vulnerable plaques increased (92. 9% [39/42] vs. 25. 8% [8/ 31] ,x∗= 34.968,P<0.01). (3) The expression of neovascularization was positive in carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Compared with the metastatic plaques,the positive expression rate of neovascularization in the vulnerable plaques was higher (95. 2% [40/42] vs. 22. 6% [7/31] # =41. 060,P <0. 01). (4) In carotid atherosclerotic plaques, Hpa and neovascularization expression was mainly located in the fibrous cap and shoulders of the plaques. Conclusions Hpa has a certain role in the progression of advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Hpa and angiogenesis expression in carotid atherosclerotic plaques has a co-regionality.