Figure 1. Experimental atheroma in aorta of
hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Detection of
macrophages, gelatinolytic activity, and
expression of gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. Top four panels illustrate
consecutive sections of lesions in abdominal aorta; bottom four panels,
in thoracic aorta. Top, Staining with cell-specific antibody (RAM-11)
identifies numerous macrophages in intimal region. Same region
contains gelatinolytic activity, as shown by
processing of a consecutive section by in situ zymography
(gelatinolytic activity is indicated by
disappearance of green fluorescent gelatin substrate used to
coat microscope slide). Immunostaining for MMP-2 and
MMP-9 gelatinases shows colocalization of macrophage
accumulations with MMP-9 expression but not with MMP-2. Bottom,
Macrophages, MMP-9 expression, and
gelatinolytic activity colocalize in a thoracic
aorta lesion. Control specimens were processed without primary antibody
(Ab). Bars=100 µm.
