Biomaterial Database

Erythrocytophagocytosis by arterial smooth muscle cells in experimental atherosclerosis. 1978

H Weidenbach, and J Massmann

The morphological examination of advanced atherosclerosis caused by atherogenic diet in the coronary arteries and in the aorta abdominalis (trifurcation) of pigs showed plaque hemorrhage and signs of vascularisation. In these areas phagocytosis of erythrocytes could be observed. The cells involved in the phagocytic process vary considerably in size and shape but show common features of arterial smooth muscle cells. The modulation of smooth muscle cells is evident and progresses as the process of phagocytosis progresses. In early stages of erythrocyte engulfment the morphological characteristics which identify these cells as of smooth muscle origin are parts of surrounding basement membrane, caveolae intracellulares and myofilaments. The authors suggest, that under certain conditions arterial smooth muscle cells participate in phagocytic processes in the injured vessel wall as potential macrophages with lysosomal enzyme adaptation. Changes in extracellular surroundings and the actual situation of the vessel wall condition seem to play an important role in the induction of phagocytosis. Relations to vascularisation processes of the arterial plaques are evident.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009130	Muscle, Smooth	Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D010587	Phagocytosis	The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES).	Phagocytoses
D003331	Coronary Vessels	The veins and arteries of the HEART.	Coronary Arteries,Sinus Node Artery,Coronary Veins,Arteries, Coronary,Arteries, Sinus Node,Artery, Coronary,Artery, Sinus Node,Coronary Artery,Coronary Vein,Coronary Vessel,Sinus Node Arteries,Vein, Coronary,Veins, Coronary,Vessel, Coronary,Vessels, Coronary
D004036	Diet, Atherogenic	A diet that contributes to the development and acceleration of ATHEROGENESIS.	Atherogenic Diet,Atherogenic Diets,Diets, Atherogenic
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001012	Aorta, Abdominal	The aorta from the DIAPHRAGM to the bifurcation into the right and left common iliac arteries.	Abdominal Aorta,Abdominal Aortas,Aortas, Abdominal
D001161	Arteriosclerosis	Thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of ARTERIES of all sizes. There are many forms classified by the types of lesions and arteries involved, such as ATHEROSCLEROSIS with fatty lesions in the ARTERIAL INTIMA of medium and large muscular arteries.	Arterioscleroses
D013552	Swine	Any of various animals that constitute the family Suidae and comprise stout-bodied, short-legged omnivorous mammals with thick skin, usually covered with coarse bristles, a rather long mobile snout, and small tail. Included are the genera Babyrousa, Phacochoerus (wart hogs), and Sus, the latter containing the domestic pig (see SUS SCROFA).	Phacochoerus,Pigs,Suidae,Warthogs,Wart Hogs,Hog, Wart,Hogs, Wart,Wart Hog