Esaki T, Hayashi T, Asai Y, Kumar T N, Kano H, Muto E, Iguchi A
Department of Geriatrics, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Heart Vessels. 1997;Suppl 12:89-92.
While endothelial nitric oxide synthase is expressed in the endothelial cells of normal and atherosclerotic vessels, there are few reports about inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in atheroma. We investigated the expression of iNOS and its relation to inflammatory cells in atheroma. New Zealand White rabbits received a 1% cholesterol diet for 9 weeks (atherogenic diet) or a 1% cholesterol diet for 9 weeks then a normal diet for 36 weeks (reversible diet). The aortas were examined by immunohistochemical staining for anti-iNOS antibody, as well as antibodies for macrophages, T lymphocytes, and muscle actin. No iNOS was detected in normal aortas, intimal thickening, or fatty streaks. Although iNOS was detected in advanced plaques, it was not seen in smooth muscle-derived cells or endothelial cells, but was found in some macrophage-derived cells and in T lymphocytes. In regressive atherosclerotic aortas, iNOS was detected only in advanced plaques and not in macrophage-derived cells, but in T lymphocytes. These findings suggest that T lymphocytes and some macrophages induce iNOS through cytokine production in atheroma.
虽然内皮型一氧化氮合酶在正常血管和动脉粥样硬化血管的内皮细胞中表达，但关于动脉粥样硬化斑块中诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）的报道很少。我们研究了iNOS在动脉粥样硬化斑块中的表达及其与炎症细胞的关系。新西兰白兔接受9周的1%胆固醇饮食（致动脉粥样硬化饮食）或9周的1%胆固醇饮食，然后36周的正常饮食（可逆饮食）。通过免疫组织化学染色检测主动脉中抗iNOS抗体以及巨噬细胞、T淋巴细胞和肌动蛋白的抗体。在正常主动脉、内膜增厚或脂肪条纹中未检测到iNOS。虽然在晚期斑块中检测到iNOS，但在平滑肌衍生细胞或内皮细胞中未发现，而是在一些巨噬细胞衍生细胞和T淋巴细胞中发现。在退行性动脉粥样硬化主动脉中，iNOS仅在晚期斑块中检测到，在巨噬细胞衍生细胞中未检测到，但在T淋巴细胞中检测到。这些发现表明，T淋巴细胞和一些巨噬细胞通过在动脉粥样硬化斑块中产生细胞因子来诱导iNOS。
