Aims: Effective clearance of extracellular haemoglobin (Hb) is thought to limit systemic oxidative heme toxicity, which is presumed to contribute to the pathogenesis of plaque instability. We immunohistochemically examined the relationship between intraplaque haemorrhage, 4-HNE (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal), an index of lipid peroxidation, and the Hb scavenger receptor (CD163), using coronary atherectomy specimens from 74 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP, n = 39) or unstable angina pectoris (UAP, n = 35).
Methods and results: Atherectomy samples were stained with antibodies against glycophorin A (a protein specific to erythrocyte membranes), CD31, 4-HNE, and CD163. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that glycophorin A-positive areas, 4-HNE-positive macrophage score, and CD163-positive macrophage score in UAP patients were significantly higher (glycophorin A, P < 0.0001; 4-HNE-positive macrophage score, P < 0.0001; CD163-positive macrophage score, P < 0.0005) than in SAP patients. The percentage of the glycophorin A-positive area showed a significant positive correlation with the number of CD31-positive microvessels and the 4-HNE-positive macrophage score (microvessels, R = 0.59, P < 0.0001; 4-HNE, R = 0.59, P < 0.0001). Moreover, the CD163-positive macrophage score was positively correlated with glycophorin A-positive area and the 4-HNE-positive macrophage score (glycophorin A, R = 0.58, P < 0.0001; 4-HNE, R = 0.53, P < 0.0001).
Conclusion: These findings suggest a positive association among intraplaque haemorrhage, enhanced expression of Hb scavenger receptor, and lipid peroxidation in human unstable plaques.