T helper cell infiltration and foam cell proliferation are early events in the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Abstract

The involvement of T cells in the early cellular events in atherosclerosis was studied in rabbits fed a 1% cholesterol diet by use of specific monoclonal anti-rabbit CD5 and CD4 antibodies. T cells were not seen in the aortic intimas of rabbits not fed cholesterol but were seen in intimal lesions in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Accumulation of T cells in plaques occurred between 2 and 4 weeks after commencement of cholesterol feeding, and the greatest density of CD5-positive T cells was observed after 4 weeks (11.2±6.0 cells/mm2 [mean±SEM]; P