McCullagh K G, Ehrhart L A
Atherosclerosis. 1977 Mar;26(3):341-52. doi: 10.1016/0021-9150(77)90087-9.
Atherosclerotic segments of pigeon aorta synthesized collagen at four times the rate found in normal aorta (Athero = 2071 +/- 1339 ng/g/h; Control = 497 +/- 192 ng/g/h; P less than 0.025). Similar results were obtained when synthesis was expressed per mg DNA. Elevation in collagen synthesis was relatively specific, collagen accounting for 4% of total protein synthesis in lesion-free aorta and 11.5% in atherosclerotic aorta. Substantial increases in total collagen were observed in atherosclerotic aortas (Athero = 9.9 +/- 3.1 mg/aorta; Control = 6.0 +/- 1.3 mg/aorta; P less than 0.05). Ultrastructural studies revealed the accumulation of large amounts of dense fibrillar collagen in the sub-endothelial region of the plaque. Plaque cells contained multiple vacuoles, an extensive rought endoplasmic reticulum and many mitochondria, suggesting active protein synthesis. It is concluded that increased collagen biosynthesis and deposition is an important metabolic derangement in lipid-rich atherosclerotic lesions whihc promotes their gradual conversion to fibrous plaques.
鸽主动脉的动脉粥样硬化节段合成胶原蛋白的速率是正常主动脉的四倍（动脉粥样硬化节段 = 2071 ± 1339 纳克/克/小时；对照 = 497 ± 192 纳克/克/小时；P < 0.025）。以每毫克 DNA 表示合成量时，也得到了类似结果。胶原蛋白合成的升高具有相对特异性，在无病变的主动脉中，胶原蛋白占总蛋白合成的 4%，而在动脉粥样硬化主动脉中占 11.5%。在动脉粥样硬化主动脉中观察到总胶原蛋白大幅增加（动脉粥样硬化节段 = 9.9 ± 3.1 毫克/主动脉；对照 = 6.0 ± 1.3 毫克/主动脉；P < 0.05）。超微结构研究显示，斑块的内皮下区域积累了大量致密的纤维状胶原蛋白。斑块细胞含有多个液泡、广泛的粗面内质网和许多线粒体，表明存在活跃的蛋白质合成。结论是，胶原蛋白生物合成和沉积的增加是富含脂质的动脉粥样硬化病变中的一种重要代谢紊乱，它促进病变逐渐转化为纤维斑块。
