Hansson G K, Jonasson L, Lojsthed B, Stemme S, Kocher O, Gabbiani G
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Gothenburg University, Sahlgren's Hospital, Sweden.
Atherosclerosis. 1988 Aug;72(2-3):135-41. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(88)90074-3.
The cellular composition of aortic atherosclerotic plaques was analyzed by immunocytochemistry using cell type-specific monoclonal antibodies. T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages were detected both in early, fibrous plaques, and in more advanced, complicated ones. Many smooth muscle cells in these plaques expressed the class II MHC antigen, HLA-DR. Since this antigen is inducible by T cell products, our findings suggest that T cell-smooth muscle interactions occur during atherogenesis.
