PLoS ONE (Jan 2014)

Osteoprotegerin, pericytes and bone-like vascular calcification are associated with carotid plaque stability.

  • Jean-Michel Davaine,
  • Thibaut Quillard,
  • Régis Brion,
  • Olivier Lapérine,
  • Béatrice Guyomarch,
  • Thierry Merlini,
  • Mathias Chatelais,
  • Florian Guilbaud,
  • Meadhbh Áine Brennan,
  • Céline Charrier,
  • Dominique Heymann,
  • Yann Gouëffic,
  • Marie-Françoise Heymann

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0107642
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 9
p. e107642

Abstract

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Background and purposeVascular calcification, recapitulating bone formation, has a profound impact on plaque stability. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of bone-like vascular calcification (named osteoid metaplasia = OM) and of osteoprotegerin on plaque stability.MethodsTissue from carotid endarterectomies were analysed for the presence of calcification and signs of vulnerability according to AHA grading system. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), pericytes and endothelial cells were sought using immuno-histochemistry. Symptoms and preoperative imaging findings (CT-scan, MRI and Doppler-scan) were analyzed. Human pericytes were cultured to evaluate their ability to secrete OPG and to influence mineralization in the plaque.ResultsSeventy-three carotid plaques (49 asymptomatic and 24 symptomatic) were harvested. A significantly higher presence of OM (18.4% vs 0%, pConclusionsOPG (intraplaque an plasmatic) and OM are associated with carotid plaque stability. Pericytes may be involved in the secretion of intraplaque OPG and in the formation of OM.