Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Contain Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase Enzyme Activity
Key result
Active GGT selectively localizes to lipid-laden foam cells within human coronary atheroma cores.
Why the study?
The presence and localization of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase enzyme activity within human atherosclerotic plaques was not previously demonstrated histochemically and immunohistochemically.
Population
Human coronary atheroma specimen from endoarteriectomy
Comparison
Histochemical and immunohistochemical staining for GGT enzyme activity and CD68+ macrophages
Design
Preclinical histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
GGT enzyme activity is localized to the core of human coronary atheromas, specifically within oxidized lipid-containing foam cells, suggesting a role in atherosclerosis.
Key Points
- To evaluate the presence, enzymatic activity, and precise cellular localization of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase within human coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
- Obtained coronary atheroma tissue samples from patients undergoing in vivo endarterectomy and prepared frozen sections.
- Assayed enzymatically active gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) histochemically using gamma-glutamyl-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide substrate and Fast Garnet GBC chromogen.
- Performed immunohistochemical analyses targeting the heavy chain of human GGT and CD68 to confirm enzyme identity and cellular localization in macrophage-derived foam cells.
- Histochemical staining demonstrated intense GGT catalytic activity selectively localized within the atheroma core, whereas the fibrous cap showed negative staining.
- Immunohistochemistry verified heavy-chain GGT protein expression co-localizing uniformly within CD68-positive, oxidized lipid-rich macrophage foam cells in the core region.
Structured PICO
P
Population
Human coronary atheroma specimen from endoarteriectomy
E
Exposure
Histochemical and immunohistochemical staining for Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) enzyme activity and CD68+ macrophages
O
Outcome
Localization of GGT enzyme activity within the atherosclerotic plaquesurrogate
GGT enzyme activity is localized to the core of human coronary atheromas, specifically within oxidized lipid-containing foam cells, suggesting a role in atherosclerosis.
Cite This Study
Paolicchi et al. (2004) studied Coronary atheroma. Histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis was evaluated on GGT enzyme activity localization. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) enzyme activity was selectively identified in the core of human coronary atheroma, specifically localizing to oxidized lipid-containing foam cells.