Relationship of MMP-14 and TIMP-3 Expression with Macrophage Activation and Human Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability

Figure 2

((a)–(f)) Immunolocalisation of macrophages (CD68), MMP-14, and TIMP-3 in human atheromatous ((a)–(c)) and fibrous-atheromatous ((d)-(e)) carotid plaques. Panels (b)-(c) and (e)-(f) are higher magnification fields of boxes depicted in panels (a) and (d), respectively. SR denotes shoulder region, NC denotes necrotic core, and FC denotes fibrous cap. ((g)–(j)) Immunohistochemistry of atheromatous carotid plaques demonstrating    ((g) and (h), serial sections) and    ((i) and (j), serial sections) foam-cell macrophage regions. Arrows indicate same cells in adjoining serial sections. ((k)–(t)) Immunohistochemical staining (brown product colour) of carotid plaque sections for (k) MMP-14, (l) COX-2, (m) NFκB, (n) TIMP-3, and (o) CD206 and their relevant control IgG on serial sections ((p)–(t), resp.).

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