[Plaque progression and destabilization in human coronary arteries].

To verify the roles of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the progression and destabilization of coronary atherosclerosis in humans, we have studied the expression of ACE and VEGF in coronary arterial segments, using immunohistochemical techniques. Our results strongly suggest that enhanced ACE expression in atheromatous plaques and ruptured plaques contributes greatly to the further progression of atherosclerosis via an increase in vascular angiotensin II formation. Our findings also suggest that distinct expression of VEGF play a role in the progression and destabilization of human coronary atherosclerosis.