Abstract: Objective    To investigate the expression change of sca-1 and c-kit in the calcified area of coronary atherosclerosis in rats, so as to provide clinical reference for further study of the mechanism of coronary atherosclerosis.   Methods   Thirty-two healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (n=8) and an atherosclerotic calcification model group (n=24). The model was prepared by gavage of propylthiouracil, feeding with high fat and cholesterol diet and intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3. After the model was successfully prepared, the expression changes of sca-1 and c-kit in the coronary artery tissues of the model group and the normal group were observed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques. Immunofluorescence technique was used to detect the co-expression of sca-1 and α-SMA. Western blotting was used to detect the differences of c-kit and sca-1 protein expression between model group and normal group.    Results    At the 12th week of modeling, the coronary artery wall of rats was significantly thickened, the intima was significant hyperplasia, the smooth muscle cells were arranged in a significant disorder, and there were necrotic substance deposition, lipid deposition and calcium nodule precipitation. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence results showed that sca-1+cells and c-kit+ cells were significantly higher in the intima, media and adventitia of coronary artery in atherosclerotic and calcified areas than those in the normal control group. Some cells have co-expression of sca-1 and α-SMA in the location of lesion. Western blotting result showed that the expressions of c-kit and sca-1 protein in atherosclerotic and calcified areas were higher than those in normal control group.    Conclusions   Sca-1+ cells and c-kit+ cells have the tendency to migrate to the calcification area of coronary atherosclerosis, and the mechanism needs to be further  investigated.

Key words: Sca-1,  ,  , C-kit,  ,  , Atherosclerotic calcification,  ,  , Immunohistochemistry,  ,  , Rat heart