Relationship of MMP-14 and TIMP-3 Expression with Macrophage Activation and Human Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability
Figure 6
Relationship between MMP-14 and TIMP-3 staining and plaque morphology or symptoms. The percentage of CD68 positive FCMs that stained also for (a) MMP-14 and TIMP-3, or (b) COX-2 and CD206, was related to atheromatous, fibrous-atheromatous and fibrous carotid plaques. (c) Association of FCMs that stained also for MMP-14 and TIMP-3 was assessed in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Data analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis test (, , ). Patient numbers within each group are depicted below each bar graph.
