ACCUMULATION OF PLASMA-CELLS IN ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS OF WATANABE HERITABLE HYPERLIPIDEMIC RABBITS

By screening a cDNA library constructed from aortic total RNA derived from Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits by differential hybridization, we have obtained a cDNA encoding the kappa light chain of immunoglobulin. Northern blot analysis of total RNA prepared from a ortas of WHHL and normal rabbits of various ages revealed that this li ght-chain mRNA accumulates gradually with age in aortas in WHHL rabbit s, Northern blotting and in situ hybridization with an antisense oligo nucleotide specific to rabbit immunoglobulin gamma heavy-chain mRNA al so detected accumulation of this heavy-chain mRNA in advanced lesions of WHHL rabbit aortas. Moreover, immunohistochemical and electron micr oscopic analyses demonstrated the presence of plasma cells in the athe rosclerotic lesions.