Composition and macromolecular structure of intima in normal and arteriosclerotic human aorta.

Proteoglycanes, glycoprotein, fibrous collagen and elastin proteins were isolated from normal human aortic intima and from sclerotic lipid and calcium plaques and examined by electron microscope and thermal analysis. Differences between the structure and compositon of normal human aortic wall and aortic lipid plaques are chiefly found in the proteoglycan containing fraction. The calcium plaque shows structural changes in the fibrillar protein components.