An atypical aortic atherosclerotic lesion in cynomolgus monkeys during hypercholesterolemia: a protection by smooth muscle cells against advanced lesions?

This study focuses on the fortuitous discovery of an atypical atherosclerotic lesion in four of 49 male adult cynomolgus monkeys (macacus fascicularis) which were maintained for a long time at a high level of hypercholesterolemia, and in seven of 19 female cynomolgus monkeys examined from the second to the 24th week of hypercholesterolemic diet: this lesion was in formation or already mature during this period of diet. This atypical lesion was formed by a collagen and elastic network surrounding synthetic smooth muscle cells without fibrofatty or fibrous plaques. Lipids were occasionally seen in the inner intima. The lesion appeared early (from the third week of diet). Once established, its morphology did not change. It became more extensive, but was not complicated by lipid overload in spite of prolonged, permanent hypercholesterolemia. This response to hypercholesterolemia is interesting because the activity of the smooth muscle cells differs from that observed in the classic lesion: they intervene earlier, their replication is very marked and rapid, their elastin secretion is greater and remains constant over time, and their phagocytic properties are reduced. This experimental study examines the installation and the maintenance of this lesion and raises the problem of its origin.