This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tjurmin, A. V. Articles by Haudenschild, C. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tjurmin, A. V. Articles by Haudenschild, C. C. Related Collections Pathophysiology Cell biology/structural biology Mechanism of atherosclerosis/growth factors

(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1999;19:83-97.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Studies on the Histogenesis of Myxomatous Tissue of Human Coronary Lesions

Alexey V. Tjurmin; Natalya M. Ananyeva; Elizabeth P. Smith; Yamei Gao; Mun K. Hong; Martin B. Leon; Christian C. Haudenschild

From the Department of Experimental Pathology, J.H. Holland Laboratory, American Red Cross, Rockville, Md (A.V.T., N.M.A., E.P.S., Y.G., C.C.H.), and the Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC (M.H.K., M.B.L.).

Correspondence to Christian C. Haudenschild, Department of Experimental Pathology, J.H. Holland Laboratory, American Red Cross, 15601 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD 20855. E-mail HaudenschildC{at}usa.redcross.org

Abstract—Myxomatous tissue is a characteristic component of human coronary artery lesions, found more often in restenotic lesions. It represents a bulky accumulation of stellate-shaped cells of unknown histogenesis that are embedded in a loose stroma. We analyzed 64 atherectomy specimens containing substantial amounts of myxomatous tissue by using immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy techniques. Stellate cells represented a heterogeneous population, sharing features of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), macrophages, as well as antigen-presenting dendritic cells. Like quiescent medial SMCs, the stellate cells in all specimens expressed high levels of SM -actin message and protein and showed heterogeneity with respect to heavy-chain myosin, SM22, desmin, and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, stellate cells resembled SMCs, with some peculiarities that distinguish them from both differentiated and dedifferentiated SMCs. In contrast to quiescent SMCs, the stellate cells expressed high levels of acidic fibroblast growth factor mRNA and protein similar to cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage. However, stellate cells did not express the marker of mature macrophages, HAM56, and were heterogeneous with respect to CD68. Moreover, unlike SMCs, the stellate cells bore some of the major phenotypic markers of dendritic cells: they were S100-positive and showed various reactivity with respect to CD1a and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR. Invasion of myxomatous tissue with CD45RO-positive T lymphocytes was correlated with strong expression of CD1a in these specimens. Stellate cells also expressed a pericyte marker, high-molecular-weight melanoma-associated antigen. We conclude that stellate cells of myxomatous tissue represent a specific phenotype of mesenchymal cells (possibly pericytes), which is activated to express some markers of antigen-presenting cells. These findings suggest involvement of the stellate cells in a local immune response.

Key Words: atherosclerosis • angioplasty • smooth muscle cell phenotype • dendritic cells • pericytes

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Hibbert, Y.-X. Chen, and E. R. O'Brien c-kit-Immunopositive vascular progenitor cells populate human coronary in-stent restenosis but not primary atherosclerotic lesions Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, August 1, 2004; 287(2): H518 - H524. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Ananyeva, A. Tjurmin, E. Saenko, and C. Haudenschild Low Density Lipoproteins Interact With Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Modify Its Function Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, April 1, 2003; 23(4): 601 - 607. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. M. Ananyeva, D. V. Kouiavskaia, M. Shima, and E. L. Saenko Intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation contributes to thrombogenicity of atherosclerotic plaque Blood, May 29, 2002; 99(12): 4475 - 4485. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Rabkin, M. Aikawa, J. R. Stone, Y. Fukumoto, P. Libby, and F. J. Schoen Activated Interstitial Myofibroblasts Express Catabolic Enzymes and Mediate Matrix Remodeling in Myxomatous Heart Valves Circulation, November 20, 2001; 104(21): 2525 - 2532. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Millonig, H. Niederegger, W. Rabl, B. W. Hochleitner, D. Hoefer, N. Romani, and G. Wick Network of Vascular-Associated Dendritic Cells in Intima of Healthy Young Individuals Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, April 1, 2001; 21(4): 503 - 508. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Menschikowski, A. Rosner-Schiering, R. Eckey, E. Mueller, R. Koch, and W. Jaross Expression of Secretory Group IIA Phospholipase A2 in Relation to the Presence of Microbial Agents, Macrophage Infiltrates, and Transcripts of Proinflammatory Cytokines in Human Aortic Tissues Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, March 1, 2000; 20(3): 751 - 762. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Tsifrina, N. M. Ananyeva, G. Hastings, and G. Liau Identification and Characterization of Three cDNAs That Encode Putative Novel Hyaluronan-Binding Proteins, Including an Endothelial Cell-Specific Hyaluronan Receptor Am. J. Pathol., November 1, 1999; 155(5): 1625 - 1633. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]