Microcalcifications in atherosclerotic lesion of apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse
Autor: | Debernardi, N., Roijers, R.B., Krams, R., Crom, de, R., Mutsaers, P.H.A., Vusse, van der, G.J. |
---|---|
Přispěvatelé: | Coherence and Quantum Technology |
Jazyk: | angličtina |
Rok vydání: | 2010 |
Zdroj: | International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 91(6), 485-494. Wiley-Blackwell |
ISSN: | 1365-2613 |
Popis: | Evidence is accumulating that calcium-rich microdeposits in the vascular wall might play a crucial role in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Here we investigated an atherosclerotic lesion of the carotid artery in an established murine model, i.e. the apolipoprotein E-deficient (APOE-/-) mouse to identify (i) the presence of microcalcifications, if any, (ii) the elemental composition of microcalcifications with special reference to calcium/phosphorus mass ratio and (iii) co-localization of increased concentrations of iron and zinc with microcalcifications. Atherosclerosis was induced by a flow-divider placed around the carotid artery resulting in low and high shear-stress regions. Element composition was assessed with a proton microprobe. Microcalcifications, predominantly present in the thickened intima of the low shear-stress region, were surrounded by areas with normal calcium levels, indicating that calcium-precipitation is a local event. The diameter of intimal microcalcifications varied from 6 to 70 µm. Calcium/phosphorus ratios of microcalcifications varied from 0.3 to 4.8, mainly corresponding to the ratio of amorphous calcium-phosphate. Increased iron and zinc concentrations commonly co-localized with microcalcifications. Our findings indicate that the atherosclerotic process in the murine carotid artery is associated with locally accumulated calcium, iron and zinc. The calcium-rich deposits resemble amorphous calcium phosphate rather than pure hydroxyapatite. We propose that the APOE-/- mouse, in which atherosclerosis was evoked by a flow-divider, offers a useful model to investigate the pathophysiological significance of accumulation of elements such as calcium, iron and zinc. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
Externí odkaz: |
načítá se...