Caspase-3 and tissue factor expression in lipid-rich plaque macrophages: evidence for apoptosis as link between inflammation and atherothrombosis.

Macrophages associated with arterial wall lipid deposition contribute to inflammatory processes. Tissue factor (TF) has been implicated in the thrombogenicity of atherosclerotic plaques. Intimal cells undergoing apoptosis have been postulated as a source for TF. However, there is only limited knowledge of cell type, plaque component, and conditions associated with TF expression and apoptosis. We examined the hypothesis that macrophages exposed to conditions of lipid-rich plaque undergo apoptosis and express TF.