Atherosclerosis and disease of graft implanted to bypass occluded coronary or peripheral arteries are similar processes. Patency of implanted grafts is of paramount importance in respect to long-term outcomes. Although few cell types participate in atherosclerotic plaque formation, macrophages play a crucial role. In this article we review the fate of monocytes that infiltrate vessel wall following endothelium damage, and then undergo transformation to macrophages (identified as CD68 positive cells) and eventually lead to severe stenosis of vessel. Opposing biological activity of two subpopulations of macrophages and their impact on plaque instability and its calcification is also presented. At the end of this paper, a possible clinical significance of pre-existing, CD68 positive cell infiltration of vessel wall, applied as aortocoronary grafts, is discussed.

Department of Anatomy and Histology University of Zielona Gora Zielona Gora Poland

Department of Anatomy Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland

Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland

Department of Histology and Embryology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University Hospital and Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Department of Toxicology Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan Poland

Differences in Expression of Genes Involved in Bone Development and Morphogenesis in the Walls of Internal Thoracic Artery and Saphenous Vein Conduits May Provide Markers Useful for Evaluation Graft Patency