Extracellular lipids accumulate in human carotid arteries as distinct three-dimensional structures and have proinflammatory properties.

Extracellular lipids accumulate in human carotid arteries as distinct three-dimensional structures and have proinflammatory properties. Am J Pathol. 2017 Nov 14;: Authors: Lehti S, Nguyen SD, Belevich I, Vihinen H, Heikkilä HM, Soliymani R, Käkelä R, Saksi J, Jauhiainen M, Grabowski GA, Kummu O, Hörkkö S, Baumann M, Lindsberg PJ, Jokitalo E, Kovanen PT, Öörni K Abstract Lipid accumulation is a key characteristic of advancing atherosclerotic lesions. Here we analyzed the ultrastructure of the accumulated lipids in endarterectomized human carotid atherosclerotic plaques using three-dimensional (3D) electron microscopy, a method never used in this context before. 3D-electron microscopy revealed intracellular lipid droplets and extracellular lipoprotein particles. The majority of the particles were aggregated and some connected to needle-shaped or sheet-like cholesterol crystals. Proteomic analysis of isolated extracellular lipoprotein particles revealed that apolipoprotein B is their main protein component indicating their origin from low density lipoprotein, intermediate density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, lipoprotein (a), or chylomicron remnants. The particles also contained small exchangeable apolipoproteins, complement components, and immunoglobulins. Lipidomic analysis revealed differences between plasma lipoproteins and the particles thereby indicating involvement of lipolytic enzymes in their generation. Inc...
Source: The American Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Am J Pathol Source Type: research
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