Morphometric investigation of immunoregulatory and effector cells in aorta and paraaorticlymph nodes in human atherogenesisP.V. PigarevskyInstitute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg
Morphometric investigation of immunoregulatory and effector cells in aorta and paraaorticlymph nodes in human atherogenesisP.V. PigarevskyInstitute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg
The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of immunoregulatory and effector lymphoid cells in hu"man atherogenesis. Immunomorphological and morphometric study was carried out using monoclonalantibodies against T and B lymphocytes’ subpopulations. The increase of CD4+ lymphocytes’ and HLADR+ mononuclears’ count in intima and adventitia of aorta, T and B"dependent areas of paraaorticlymph nodes was revealed in humans aged 31–60. These changes were accompanied by the increase ofIgG producing B lymphocytes’ count in the same regions of aorta and B"dependent areas of paraaorticlymph nodes. At the same time, there was no increase of CD8+ lymphocytes’ count. No significant im"munomorphological changes were observed in spleen peripheral lymphoid organ being away fromaorta. Probable mechanisms and specific features of immune inflammation in human atherogenesisare discussed.Key words: atherogenesis, paraaortic lymphnodes, T and B lymphocytes.