Manuela Montanaro1, Manuel Scimeca1,2, Lucia Anemona1, Francesca Servadei1, Erica Giacobbi1, Rita Bonfiglio1,3, Elena Bonanno1, Nicoletta Urbano4, Arnaldo Ippoliti5, Giuseppe Santeusanio1, Orazio Schillaci6,7, Alessandro Mauriello1,2. 1. Department of Experimental Medicine, University "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy. 2. Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy. 3. Fondazione Umberto Veronesi (FUV), Piazza Velasca 5, 20122 Milano, Italy. 4. Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Oncohaematology, Policlinico "Tor Vergata", viale oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy. 5. Vascular Surgery, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Policlinico "Tor Vergata", viale oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy. 6. Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy. 7. IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: this study aims to investigate the possible association among the histopathologic features of carotid plaque instability, the presence of micro- or macrocalcifications, the expression of in situ inflammatory biomarkers, and the occurrence of the major risk factors in this process in a large series of carotid plaques. METHODS: a total of 687 carotid plaques from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were collected. Histological evaluation was performed to classify the calcium deposits in micro or macrocalcifications according to their morphological features (location and size). Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the expression of the main inflammatory biomarkers. RESULTS: results here reported demonstrated that calcifications are very frequent in carotid plaques, with a significant difference between the presence of micro- and macrocalcifications. Specifically, microcalcifications were significantly associated to high inflamed unstable plaques. Paradoxically, macrocalcifications seem to stabilize the plaque and are associated to a M2 macrophage polarization instead. DISCUSSION: the characterization of mechanisms involved in the formation of carotid calcifications can lay the foundation for developing new strategies for the management of patients affected by carotid atherosclerosis. Data of this study could provide key elements for an exhaustive evaluation of carotid plaque calcifications allowing to establish the risk of associated clinical events.
BACKGROUND: this study aims to investigate the possible association among the histopathologic features of carotid plaque instability, the presence of micro- or macrocalcifications, the expression of in situ inflammatory biomarkers, and the occurrence of the major risk factors in this process in a large series of carotid plaques. METHODS: a total of 687 carotid plaques from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were collected. Histological evaluation was performed to classify the calcium deposits in micro or macrocalcifications according to their morphological features (location and size). Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the expression of the main inflammatory biomarkers. RESULTS: results here reported demonstrated that calcifications are very frequent in carotid plaques, with a significant difference between the presence of micro- and macrocalcifications. Specifically, microcalcifications were significantly associated to high inflamed unstable plaques. Paradoxically, macrocalcifications seem to stabilize the plaque and are associated to a M2 macrophage polarization instead. DISCUSSION: the characterization of mechanisms involved in the formation of carotid calcifications can lay the foundation for developing new strategies for the management of patients affected by carotid atherosclerosis. Data of this study could provide key elements for an exhaustive evaluation of carotid plaque calcifications allowing to establish the risk of associated clinical events.
Authors: Philip Greenland; Michael J Blaha; Matthew J Budoff; Raimund Erbel; Karol E Watson Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2018-07-24 Impact factor: 24.094
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Authors: M Tesauro; A Mauriello; V Rovella; M Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli; C Cardillo; G Melino; N Di Daniele Journal: J Intern Med Date: 2017-03-27 Impact factor: 8.989