Loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability in human atherosclerotic plaques.

Several lines of evidence suggest that mutation events may be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present investigation was to perform an allelotype analysis in 30 atherosclerotic lesions in order to reveal any deletions involved in the development of the disease. Eighteen chromosomal arms were tested by one microsatellite marker located on each arm and allelic imbalance in at least one marker was observed in 7 (23%) cases. Furthermore, the analysis revealed the presence of microsatellite instability (MI) in 10 (33%) cases, suggesting that an increase in the mutation rate may be involved in the formation of the plaque. These results highlight the mutation concept for the atherogenesis and suggest that LOH and MI may be involved in the development of the disease.