[Apo B, fibrinogen-fibrin and fibronectin in the intima of the normal human aorta and large arteries and in atherosclerosis].

Apo B, fibrinogen/fibrin, fibronectin, thrombocytes, factor VIII of the blood coagulation and smooth muscle cells (SMC) were identified by the immunofluorescence method in the intima of aorta and big arteries under normal conditions and in atherosclerosis. Monoclonal antibodies (MCA) against C-end fragments of A alpha-fibrinogen chain were used in the study of fibrinogen/fibrin. MCA reacting with plasma fibronectin and those reacting with A-area of the polypeptide chain specific for the cell fibronectin were used for the identification of fibronectin. Small amount of fibrinogen/fibrin, no fibronectin in the extracellular matrix and the cell fibronectin around SMC were observed on the normal intima and lipid strip in spite of the presence of Apo B. The results indicate that fibrinogen/fibrin is accumulated in the plaques due to the incorporation of the wall thrombi, insudation from the blood plasma, intramural haemorrhages as well as around cells, presumably macrophages.