INCORPORATION AND LOCALIZATION OF GANGLIOSIDE GM3 IN HUMAN INTIMAL ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS

Immunohistochemical examination showed that sections of intimal athero sclerotic plaques contained cells and cell of extracellular matrix spe cifically stained with antibodies against ganglioside GM3. No immunohi stochemical staining was observed in areas bordering the plaques where there was no histological evidence of atherosclerosis, To determine w hether the ganglioside GM3 deposits in the intimal plaques derived dir ectly from plasma or were synthesised by intimal cells, intimal plaque and plasma LDL were assayed for ganglioside GM3 fatty acid compositio n. This assay showed that more than 50% of the fatty acids of GM3 isol ated from both atherosclerotic and normal intima are either minor fatt y acids or those absent from LDL GM3, We conclude that the GM3 deposit s present in intimal plaque arise in intimal cells and do not derive f rom plasma LDL. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.