Expression of osteopontin in calcified coronary atherosclerotic plaques
Kwon HM, Hong BK, Kang TS, Kwon K, Kim HK, Jang Y, Choi D, Park HY, Kang SM, Cho
SY, Kim HS
Yonsei Cardiovascular Center and Research Institute, Department of Internal
Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
(kwonhm@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
Advanced atherosclerosis is often associated with dystrophic calcification and
remodeling of extracellular matrix of vascular wall. Recently many studies have
documented a general relationship between calcification and severity of coronary
disease, and discussed the feasibility of electron beam computed tomography for
detecting and quantifying the coronary artery calcification in the patients. The
present study investigated the expression and the localization of osteopontin,
one of noncollagenous bone matrix protein, within the calcified coronary
arteries. Autopsy-derived coronary artery specimens were scanned and
reconstructed to visualize the pattern of coronary calcification using a novel
microscopic computed tomography technique. The localization of the osteopontin
were evaluated by immunohistochemial stain with LF7. The present study showed
that the pattern of coronary calcification is variable and the expression of
osteopontin is localized mainly to calcified lesion. The smooth muscle cells in
addition to macrophage expressed osteopontin protein in human coronary
atherosclerotic plaques. Soluble osteopontin released near to the sites of
vascular calcification may represent an adaptive mechanism aimed at regulating
the process of vascular calcification.
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