MICROSATELLITE INSTABILITY IN HUMAN ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUES

The aetiopathology of atherosclerosis remains obscure. Although histol ogically the accumulation of lipids and the proliferation of the smoot h muscle cells represents the main feature of the disease, little is k nown as regards the molecular alterations associated with the atherosc lerotic lesions. In the present study we investigated whether an eleva ted mutational rate is detectable in human atheromatous plaques. Thirt y specimens were assessed for microsatellite instability (MI) by 7 mic rosatellite markers and MI, in at least one marker, was apparent in 6 (20%) cases. Our data suggest that decreased fidelity in DNA replicati on and repair may be associated with the development of the disease. ( C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.