BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inflammatory mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of @entity731 . In this study, we investigated whether the extent of inflammatory infiltration in high-grade stenoses of the internal carotid artery (ICA) correlates to clinical features of plaque destabilization. METHODS: Endarterectomy specimens from 37 consecutive @entity1 undergoing surgery for high-grade ICA @entity850 were stained immunocytochemically for macrophages ( @entity469 ) and T cells (CD3). The staining was quantified by planimetry of immunostained areas ( @entity469 ) or counting individual cells (CD3). Clinical evidence of plaque instability was provided by the preoperative assessment of recent ischemic symptoms attributable to the @entity850 and of the occurrence of cerebral microembolism in transcranial Doppler ultrasound monitoring of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery. RESULTS: The percentage of macrophage-rich areas and number of T cells per mm2 section area were larger in recently symptomatic @entity1 than in asymptomatic @entity1 (macrophages: 18+/-10% versus 11+/-4%, P=0.005; T cells: 71.2+/-34.4 versus 40.5+/-31.4 mm2, P=0.005). The presence of microembolism was associated with an increase in macrophage-rich areas (P=0.011). Macrophage (19+/-10% versus 9+/-3%, P=0.0009) and T cell (71.5+/-39.0 versus 46.4+/-22 mm2, P=0.045) infiltration were more pronounced in predominantly @entity1856 than in fibrous plaques, but did not correlate significantly to the presence of surface ulceration or luminal @entity715 . CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a role of plaque-infiltrating macrophages and T cells in the clinical destabilization of high-grade ICA stenoses. Inflammatory mechanisms may be a therapeutic target in @entity1 with @entity2998 .

Inflammation in high-grade carotid XXXX : a possible role for macrophages and T cells in plaque destabilization.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity469 :: ('968', 'Gene') :: ['CD68'] @entity2998 :: ('MESH:D002340', 'Disease') :: ['symptomatic ICA disease'] @entity1856 :: ('MESH:D058226', 'Disease') :: ['atheromatous'] @entity731 :: ('MESH:D050197', 'Disease') :: ['atherosclerosis'] @entity850 :: ('MESH:D003251', 'Disease') :: ['stenosis'] @entity715 :: ('MESH:D013927', 'Disease') :: ['thrombosis']
@entity850 :: (MESH:D003251,Disease) :: ['stenosis']
