engleski

Increased expression of endothelial lipase in symptomatic and unstable carotid plaques

The aim of this study was to evaluate endothelial lipase (EL) protein expression in advanced human carotid artery plaques (HCAP) with regard to plaque (in)stability and the incidence of symptoms. HCAP were collected from 66 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The degree of plaque (in)stability was estimated by ultrasound and histology. In HCAP sections, EL expression was determined by immunostaining and the intensity was assessed on a semi-quantitative scale (low: <25%, high: >25% positive cells). Monocytes and macrophages in adjacent HCAP sections were stained with a CD163 specific antibody. High EL staining was more prevalent in histologically unstable plaques (in 33.3% of fibrous plaques, 50% of ulcerated non-complicated plaques and 79.2% of ulcerated complicated plaques ; χ(2) test, p = 0.004) and in the symptomatic group (70.8 vs. 42.9% in the asymptomatic group ; χ(2) test, p = 0.028). The majority of EL immunostaining was found in those HCAP regions exhibiting a strong CD163 immunostaining. EL in HCAP might be a marker and/or promoter of plaque instability and HCAP- related symptomatology.

endothelial lipase; plaque; stability; symptomatology; high-density lipoprotein; inflammation; atherosclerosis; macrophages

Rad je izrađena u okviru Znanstvenog projekta Republike Austrije (Austrian Science Foundation (FWF ; grant P19473-B05) 2005-2010) i Međunarodne suradnje Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu i Medicinskog Univerziteta u Grazu (Agreement on Co-operation between the University of Zagreb School of Medicine and Medical University of Graz concluded on February 21 2005. Project title: Expression of endothelial lipase and inflammatory molecules in human carotid atheroscelrotic plaques. Principal investigators: Professor Saša Frank (Graz) and Assistant Professor Vesna Degoricija (Zagreb) Duration: 2005-2010).