Study of Elastin

-Relation between Heterogenicity of Elastin and Atherosclerosis-

Abstract

In atherosclerotic lesions the lipid (mainly cholesterol ester) and Ca content of elastin fr, increased progressively with increasing severity of atherosclerosis. Autoclave purified elastin fr. derived from areas of plaque in human arch to thoracic aorta was more polar in amino acid residues than similarly prepared elastin fr. from adjacent or non-plaque areas of same aorta. The polarity of the elastin fr. after purification with EDTA, BrCN and Urea was lower than those before the treatment. Those change in amino acid composition reflected some contamination of the elastin fr. The treatment due to decalcify and not to change lipid deposition in plaque areas, and the presence of the acidic component in tropoelastin preparations can explain the variation of amino acid of the elastin fr.
It may be suggested that heterogenicity of elastin fr. and tropoelastin preparation in plaque could be one of the factors of Ca and lipid deposition in atherosclerosis.