Stellate cells in the intima of human aorta. Application of alkaline dissociation method in the analysis of the vessel wall cellular content.

Cells isolated from the fixed human aorta by alkaline dissociation have been studied. Cellular content of normal and atherosclerotic intima is described. Special attention is given to stellate cells that were found in large quantities in all analyzed samples. It is found that in the fatty streak stellate cells are localized nearest to the endothelium but they have no definite localization in the fibrous plaque. In unaffected intima, stellate cells are diffusely localized, and often prevail over other cell types.