Abstract

PASTRAN MEJIAS, Cristina Margarita  and  B DE SUAREZ, Claudia A. Identificación de células inflamatorias en aortas de fetos, neonatos y lactantes menores: Una aproximación al estudio de la génesis de la ateroesclerosis humana. Gac Méd Caracas [online]. 2002, vol.110, n.4, pp.494-503. ISSN 0367-4762.

The problem of the study of the atherosclerosis resides in the multivariate nature of its origin; the main cells participating in the morphogenesis of the atherosclerotic lesions are the macrophages and the smooth muscle cells We evaluated 39 aortas of fetuses, newborns and little suckling to corroborate the existence of early atherosclerotic lesions and to relate these lesions with the density of the present inflammatory cells in the lesions. In order to identify sudanophilic lesions and optic microscopy with special stains, a macroscopic study with Sudan’s method was performed. With the objective to identify T-lymphocytes (CD45-Ro), B-lymphocytes (CD20) and macrophages (CD68) in the arterial wall, immunohistochemistry was performed in 20 cases. No case presented macroscopic sudanophilic lesions. By histology, 39 % of the cases showed some degree of intimal thickening wich tends to increase with age. The localization of these intimal lesions was preferential in the areas of bifurcation of the vessel. In all the intimal thickening and in the arterial adventitia, there was a greater quantity of monocytes derived macrophages (114 cells CD 68) than T lymphocytes (69 cells CD45 Ro). There were no B lymphocytes (CD20). Based on these observations, we speculate that the penetration of monocytes to the subendothelial space points out the beginning of the atherosclerotic lesions, which begins in the fetal life. Based on our results and on the bibliographical revision of this problem, we evaluated some aspects regarding the nature of the intimal thickening in fetal and neonates arteries and the sequence of the events that originate the attraction, adhesion and penetration of monocytes in the subintima as well as the influence of the lipoproteins of low density in this process. We concluded that these mechanisms in vivo, are still controversial.

Keywords : Infantile atherosclerosis; Aorta; Fetuses; Monocytes.