Relationship between expression of TNF-α and plaque stability in atherosclerotic plaques

Liu Qingxia; Zhang Hongying; Xu Lixia; Jiang Hui; Han Xinsheng

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-4055.2019.04.15

Abstract：Objective To study the relationship between expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and plaque stability in atherosclerotic plaques. Methods The patients with coronary atherosclerosis (n=80) undergone surgery were chosen from the Second People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou City from Feb. 2014 to Mar. 2017, and samples of atherosclerotic plaques were collected from the patients. The samples of atherosclerotic plaques were observed under optical microscope after HE staining, and then divided into normal control group, stable plaque group and unstable plaque group. The expressions of macrophage cells (CD68), smooth muscle cells (α-actin) and TNF-α in atherosclerotic plaques were detected by using immunohistochemistry technique. Results There was no CD68 expression and positive rate of α-actin was 100.00% in normal control group. The positive rate of CD68 was 60.71% in stable plaque group and 96.77% in unstable plaque group, and positive rate of α-actin was 53.57% in stable plaque group and 9.68% in unstable plaque group (P<0.05). There was no TNF-α expression in normal control group, and positive rate of intima TNF-α was 64.28% in stable plaque group and 93.54% in unstable plaque group, and positive rate of tunica media TNF-α was 28.57% in stable plaque group and 61.29% in unstable plaque group (P<0.05). Conclusion The expression of TNF-α can promote the instability of atherosclerotic plaques, and it is one of important factors in the formation and development of atherosclerotic lesions.