Sterol regulatory element binding proteins downregulate LDL receptor-related protein (LRP1) expression and LRP1-mediated aggregated LDL uptake by human macrophages.

Objective: In the extracellular intima, extracellular matrix proteoglycans favor LDL retention and aggregation (agLDL). In contrast to native LDL (nLDL), agLDL induces high intracellular cholesteryl ester (CE) accumulation in macrophages. It has been suggested that LDL receptor-related protein (LRP1) is involved in agLDL binding and internalization by macrophages.

Inactivity of nitric oxide synthase gene in the atherosclerotic human carotid artery.

Objective: Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits thrombus formation, vascular contraction, and smooth muscle cell proliferation. We investigated whether NO release is enhanced after endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene transfer in atherosclerotic human carotid artery ex vivo.

Methods And Results: Western blotting and immunohistochemistry revealed that transduction enhanced eNOS expression; however, neither nitrite production nor NO release measured by porphyrinic microsensor was altered.

Intracellular lipid accumulation, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein expression, and cell survival in vascular smooth muscle cells derived from normal and atherosclerotic human coronaries.

Background: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) regulation during atherosclerotic plaque progression is determinant for plaque stability.

Aims: To study lipid accumulation, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) expression, and cell survival in VSMCs isolated from nonatherosclerotic areas (normal VSMCs) and advanced atherosclerotic plaques (plaque-VSMCs) of human coronaries.

Design: Normal or plaque-VSMCs were obtained from the intima by modification of the explant technique.

[Neovascularization in human coronary arteries with lesions of different severity].

Introduction And Objectives: Endothelial function can be modulated by growth factors produced by activated smooth muscle cells, inflammatory cells and plasma products that infiltrate the lesion. The aim of this study was to quantify neovessels in human coronary arteries with atherosclerotic lesions of different severity and analyze their relationship with inflammatory cell and plasma product infiltrates.

Patients And Method: We studied 60 coronary arteries from patients who underwent heart transplant.