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Apoptosis in human atherosclerosis

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Apoptosis in Cardiac Biology

Part of the book series: Basic Science for the Cardiologist ((BASC,volume 5))

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Abstract

A better understanding and more effective treatment of acute coronary syndrome and postangioplasty restenosis remain major issues in clinical cardiology. As for acute coronary syndromes, from the pathobiologic perspective, instability of coronary atheroma (e.g. plaque rupture), and subsequent thrombosis may result in myocardial infarction and death, as well as the progression of the arteriosclerotic disease. The underlying factors and mechanisms causing plaque rupture are not completely understood. Recent investigational work on human vulnerable lesions shows a low density of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and collagen as well as an increased frequency of inflammatory cells, associated with a considerable tissue degrading activity, to be basically implicated in the breakdown of the plaque fibrous cap (1–8). Indeed, elimination of SMCs via apoptosis (programmed cell death) may contribute to a weakened plaque texture and to a reduced production and deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, both leading to plaque instability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Gerhard Bauriedel M.D., Randolph Hutter M.D., Ulrich Welsch M.D. & Berndt Lüderitz M.D.

  2. Universität München, München, Germany

    Gerhard Bauriedel M.D., Randolph Hutter M.D., Ulrich Welsch M.D. & Berndt Lüderitz M.D.

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  1. Gerhard Bauriedel M.D.
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  2. Randolph Hutter M.D.
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  3. Ulrich Welsch M.D.
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  4. Berndt Lüderitz M.D.
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  1. University of Regensburg, Germany

    Heribert Schunkert  & G. A. J. Riegger  & 

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© 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Bauriedel, G., Hutter, R., Welsch, U., Lüderitz, B. (2000). Apoptosis in human atherosclerosis. In: Schunkert, H., Riegger, G.A.J. (eds) Apoptosis in Cardiac Biology. Basic Science for the Cardiologist, vol 5. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-38143-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-38143-5_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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