Figure 4.

Increasing carotid plaque CXCL10 concentrations are associated with a less fibrous phenotype. Plaque concentrations of CXCL10 were associated with histological qualities of the lesion by ANOVA. Staining for macrophages, SMC, or collagen was quantified as none, minor, moderate, or high. Based on these qualifications a weighed value for average staining intensity was calculated (1, none; 2, minor; 3, moderate; 4, heavy staining). Macrophage staining was not associated with plaque CXCL10 (a), whereas high plaque concentrations of CXCL10 were associated with decreasing amounts of smooth muscle cells (SMC) (b), and decreasing collagen (c).