Carotid plaque mast cells associate with atherogenic serum lipids, high grade carotid stenosis and symptomatic carotid artery disease. Results from the helsinki carotid endarterectomy study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Increased numbers of mast cells (MCs) are present in ruptured coronary plaques, suggesting to play a role in acute coronary syndromes. We evaluated the distribution densities of MCs, macrophages and T cells in carotid plaques and correlated these findings to stroke risk factors as well as history of stroke or TIA.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Seventy-eight carotid samples from 75 patients (16 plaques from asymptomatic patients and 62 from patients with recent ischemic symptoms) undergoing carotid endarterectomy with an internal carotid stenosis >70% that were immunostained and quantified for MCs, macrophages and T cells. The MC distribution density showed positive correlation with the degree of carotid stenosis (p = 0.012), serum levels of total cholesterol (p = 0.021), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.013) and triglycerides (p = 0.005), and an inverse correlation with serum HDL cholesterol levels (p = 0.001). The average MC density (p = 0.023), but not the macrophage (p = 0.58) or T cell (p = 0.74) density, was higher in the symptomatic than in the asymptomatic patients. In a comparison of plaques ipsilateral and contralateral to the thromboembolic event, the densities of the three types of inflammatory cells were similar.

CONCLUSIONS:

Increased MC distribution density is associated with an atherogenic serum lipid profile, high-grade carotid artery stenosis and symptomatic carotid artery disease. These findings suggest a potential involvement of MCs in the pathophysiology of carotid artery stenosis.

• Authors: Erno M P Lehtonen-Smeds, Mikko Mayranpaa, Perttu J Lindsberg, Lauri Soinne, Eija Saimanen, Antero A J Jarvinen, Oili Salonen, Olli Carpén, Riitta Lassila, Seppo Sarna, Markku Kaste, Petri T Kovanen
• Journal: Cerebrovascular diseases (Basel, Switzerland) (Cerebrovasc Dis) Vol. 19 Issue 5 Pg. 291-301 ( 2005) ISSN: 1015-9770 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 15775709 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Cholesterol, HDL
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Lipids
• Triglycerides
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Aged
• Carotid Artery Diseases (blood, complications, etiology, pathology, surgery)
• Carotid Stenosis (pathology, surgery)
• Cell Count
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Cholesterol, HDL (blood)
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Endarterectomy, Carotid
• Female
• Humans
• Lipids (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Thromboembolism (complications)
• Triglycerides (blood)