Figure 2.

TUNEL and Immunohistochemical Analysis of ¹⁴C-Dated Human Carotid Plaques

(A) Apoptosis (log2 TUNEL+ cells % of all cells) is inversely correlated with the physical plaque age assessed by ¹⁴C analysis (n = 52). (B) Representative images of human carotid plaques stained with TUNEL (nuclear staining) as well as hematoxylin and eosin. Control, an appropriate isotype control. Positive, TUNEL⁺ cells in dark brown. Scale bars: 200 μm (left) and 50 μm (center and right). (C) Forest plot of beta coefficients, with 95% CIs, obtained from multiple linear regression analysis, with plaque age (log2 calendar year) as the dependent variable. Significant variables (P < 0.05) are highlighted in red. H and E = hematoxylin and eosin; ORO = Oil Red O; PCNA = proliferating cell nuclear antigen; TUNEL = terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling.