A Role for Archaeal Organisms in Development of Atherosclerotic Vulnerable Plaques and Myxoid Matrices

Abstract

HG, Canzian M. A role for archaeal organisms in development of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques and myxoid matrices. CLINICS. 2006;61(5):473-8.PURPOSE: Vulnerable plaques are characterized by a myxoid matrix, necrotic lipidic core, reactive oxygen species, and high levels of microorganisms. Aerobic microbes such as Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae usually do not survive in oxidative stress media. Archaea are anaerobic microbes with powerful anti-oxidative enzymes that allow detoxification of free radicals whose presence might favor the survival of aerobic microorganisms. We searched for archaeal organisms in vulnerable plaques, and possible associations with myxoid matrix, chlamydia, and mycoplasma bodies. METHODS: Twenty-nine tissue samples from 13 coronary artherectomies from large excentric ostial or bifurcational lesions were studied using optical and electron microscopy. Infectious agents compatible with archaea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma were semiquantified using electron micrographs and correlated with the amounts of fibromuscular tissue, myxoid matrix, and foam cells, as determined from semi-thin sections. Six of the cases were also submitted to polymerase chain reaction with archaeal primers. RESULTS: All 13 specimens showed archaeal-compatible structures and chlamydial and mycoplasmal bodies in at least 1 sample. There was a positive correlation between extent of the of myxoid matrix and archaeal bodies (r = 0.44, P = 0.02); between archaeal and mycoplasmal bodies (r = 0.41, P = 0.03), and between chlamydial bodies and foam cells (r = 0.42; P = 0.03). The PCR test was positive for archaeal DNA in 4 of the 6 fragments. DISCUSSION: DNA and forms suggestive of archaea are present in vulnerable plaques and may have a fundamental role in the proliferation of mycoplasma and chlamydia. This seems to be the first description of apparently pathogenic archaea in human internal organ lesions. CLINICS 2006;61(5):473-8 A role for archaeal organisms in development of atherosclerotic Higuchi ML et al.

Involvement of TLR2 and TLR4, <i>Chlamydophila pneumoniae</i> and <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> in adventitial inflammation of aortic atherosclerotic aneurysm

“…Co-infection with Mp and Cp was described in atheroma plaques for the first time by Higuchi et al [31]. This group also found higher numbers and a high correlation of Cp antigens and Mp DNA, and archaea-like microparticles in intimal association with Mp and Cp in vulnerable plaques, which might explain a local increased vessel inflammation and dilatation [32]. A similar atherosclerotic complication might be occurring in AAA lesions.…”

Infection and Microparticles may Cause Complication of Atherosclerotic Plaques

“…VP are known to be larger, with increased amount of lipid in the plaque, and thin fibrous cap [7]. This study showed, by electron microscopy, Microparticles (MPs) with electron lucent (EL) content, in close association with Mp bodies, mainly in myxoid matrix foci [8].…”

“…On the other hand, a symbiotic life between archaeal MPs with mycoplasma may lead to proliferation of mycoplasma and archaea, both are capable to oxidize entrapped lipoproteins increasing virulence of co-infected microbes [8].…”

Estudo biomolecular de produtos de Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae e Borrelia burgdorferi na etiopatogenia da degeneração mixomatosa da valva mitral

“…Na placa de ateroma, a associação entre Mycoplasma pneumoniae e Chlamydophila pneumoniae se associou à proliferação de ambos, com inflamação, degradação do colágeno e formação da placa vulnerável [10,11].…”

“…Na valva aórtica, a proliferação de Chlamydophila pneumoniae e de Mycoplasma pneumoniae se associou à calcificação do tecido, com estenose da valva aórtica [11,50]. Roggério et al estudaram a relação entre Mycoplasma pneumoniae e Chlamydophila pneumoniae nos aneurismas de aorta e identificaram a presença destas bactérias na camada adventícia da aorta.…”