Atherogenesis during low level hypercholesterolemia in the nonhuman primate. I. Fatty streak formation.

Although a large body of data is available concerning atherogenesis in animals maintained at high levels of hypercholesterolemia, little data are available for animals maintained at lower levels of hypercholesterolemia for longer periods of time, closer to those observed in humans. The chronologic sequence of cellular events and interactions that occur during the formation of the lesions of atherosclerosis was investigated during relatively low level hypercholesterolemia (200 to 400 mg/dl) in a series of nonhuman primates (Macaca nemestrina). The arterial tree of each animal was examined by light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies specific for smooth muscle cells, monocyte-macrophages, and T-lymphocytes was performed to analyze the cellular composition of the lesions. After 6 months of low level hypercholesterolemia, the surface of the aorta contained large numbers of adherent leukocytes, many of which were in the process o...