Biology:Fibrous cap

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Short description: Layer found in atheromatous plaques


Fibrous cap in an atheromatous plaque

The fibrous cap is a layer of fibrous connective tissue, which is thicker and less cellular than the normal intima, found in atheromatous plaques. The fibrous cap contains macrophages and smooth muscle cells.[1] The fibrous cap of an atheroma is composed of bundles of muscle cells, macrophages, foam cells, lymphocytes, collagen and elastin.[1] An atheroma with a cap is termed a fibrous cap atheroma.

Rupture

Histopathological progresssion

The rupture of a fibrous cap can lead to a stroke, or a heart attack either of which has the potential to be fatal.[2] The fibrous cap is prone to rupture and ulceration which can lead to thrombosis. In advanced lesions, further complications may arise including calcification of the fibrous cap.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Hansson, Göran K.; Libby, Peter (July 2006). "The immune response in atherosclerosis: a double-edged sword". Nature Reviews Immunology 6 (7): 508–519. doi:10.1038/nri1882. PMID 16778830. 
  2. Wissing, T. B.; Van der Heiden, K.; Serra, S. M.; Smits, A. I. P. M.; Bouten, C. V. C.; Gijsen, F. J. H. (31 March 2022). "Tissue-engineered collagenous fibrous cap models to systematically elucidate atherosclerotic plaque rupture" (in en). pp. 5434. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-08425-4. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-08425-4. 
  3. Swirski, F. K.; Nahrendorf, M. (10 January 2013). "Leukocyte Behavior in Atherosclerosis, Myocardial Infarction, and Heart Failure". Science 339 (6116): 161–166. doi:10.1126/science.1230719. PMID 23307733. Bibcode2013Sci...339..161S.