Cd163 Macrophage Content And Glucose Transporter-1 Expression In Aspirated Deep Vein Thrombus Are Associated With The Time After Onset

Background: Leukocytes involve resolution of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and glucose uptake may reflect acute phase of DVT. Macrophages in M2-like phenotype are related to the tissue repair. However, markers reflecting thrombus age have not been established. The aims of this study were to identify a cellular or metabolic marker that reflects the time after onset in human aspirated DVT. Methods: We histologically and immunohistochemically analyzed 17 aspirated thrombi. The times from onset to aspiration ranged from 5 to 60 days. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and antibodies for fibrin, glycophorin A, integrin α2bβ3, CD68, M2-markers (CD163, CD206), CD34, smooth muscle actin (SMA), glucose transporter (Glut)-1, and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α (a metabolic regulator). Results: All thrombi were immunopositive for glycophorin A, fibrin, and integrin α2bβ3, CD68, CD163, CD206 and Glut-1, and contained granulocytes without lytic change. Almost all of the thrombi had small foci of CD34 or SMA immunopositive areas. The CD163- but not CD206-positive cells existed predominantly among the macrophage population. Glut-1 was exclusively expressed on the erythrocytes. There were a few HIF-1α immunopositive nuclei. The values of the immunopositive areas for glycophorin A and Glut-1 were negatively correlated and those of CD68 and CD163 were positively correlated with the time after the onset. The CD163-positive macrophages were associated with glycophorin A, CD34, or SMA positive cell-rich areas. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CD163 and Glut-1 expression could be markers for the evaluations of thrombus age in DVT and CD163 macrophages might play a role in the organization of DVT.