Increased expression and co-localization of ACE, angiotensin II AT(1) receptors and inducible nitric oxide synthase in atherosclerotic human coronary arteries.

Using immunohistochemistry and quantitative in vitro autoradiography, the present study was undertaken to examine whether co-expression of pro-atherosclerotic factors, ACE, the AT(1) receptor, and iNOS, is increased in early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions of human coronary arteries. In normal coronary arteries, ACE and eNOS were strongly co-expressed in endothelial cells (ECs), whereas the AT(1) receptor was expressed in medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs). By contrast, iNOS was not expressed in ECs and SMCs.