Heterogeneity of endothelium in human aorta. A quantitative analysis by scanning electron microscopy.

Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize a silver-stained endothelial surface of human aorta and iliac artery. The autopsy material was taken 1-3 h after death from two age groups: group A (0-7 yr) and group B (40-75 yr). The mean cell density per 1 mm2 in the arteries of group A was significantly higher than in the arteries of group B which lie outside ostia, fatty streaks and plaques. In adult arteries the cell density over the plaque was significantly lower than in the regions overlying a fatty streak or uninvolved surface. The luminal surface of child arteries outside high hemodynamic stress zones is a homogeneous sheet covered with exceptionally small (less than 400 micron2) and medium (400-800 micron2) cells. Large (800-1200 micron2) and giant (1200-8000 micron2) endothelial cells emerge only in fatty streaks of child arteries. The luminal surface of adult arteries is a heterogeneous monolayer covered with polymorphic cells both in regions unaffected by atherosclerosis and over the fatty streak and plaque. Giant and large endothelial cells account for 25-41% of the total cell population of adult arteries, occupying more than 40% of the surface in the latter.