%0 Journal Article
%T Histopathological and ultrastructural study of carotid atherosclerotic plaques: a study of four cases.
%A Yong-Xin R
%A Xue-Bin Z
%A Shu-Xu D
%A Yongqiang Z
%A Ying L
%A Jing L
%A Ying-Dai G
%A Hong-Cai S
%A Eyden B
%J Ultrastruct Pathol
%V 45
%N 4
%D Jul-Sep 2021
%M 34459698
%F 1.385
%R 10.1080/01913123.2021.1968090
%X To clarify the characteristics and origin of the cellular components in atherosclerosis, carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CAPs) of four patients were studied by light microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin, Congo red and alpha-smooth-muscle actin stains, and by transmission electron microscopy of different regions of CAPs. By light microscopy, CAPs were composed of 1) a fibrous cap; 2) an atherosclerotic core presenting focal fibrosis, neovascularization, hemorrhage, necrosis, chondrification and ossification; and 3) a basal band composed of a hyperplasic pseudo-media and affected tunica media. Ultrastructurally, the CAPs contained a diversity of cells including fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, osteochondrocytes, vascular smooth-muscle cells, foam cells and other myoid cells characterized by varied features of the above mentioned cells. The results indicated that CAPs were derived from a proliferation of multipotential mesenchymal stem cells, leading to the presence of degenerated foam cells and lipid-laden cells.