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We previously proposed that erythrophagocytosis and iron metabolism by macrophages may contribute to iron-driven oxidative stress in atherogenesis. Recent studies have indicated that the macrophage hemoglobin scavenger receptor (HbSR/CD163) is a key molecule in the process of removing hemoglobin released from senescent erythrocytes. In this study we investigated erythrophagocytosis and its relation to ferritin accumulation and the involvement of CD163 in ferritin induction in human atheroma lesions. Normal and atherosclerotic human arterial segments obtained at autopsy and surgery were collected for iron histochemistry, hemoglobin and ferritin immunohistochemistry, and computerized image analysis. The lesion-dependent accumulation of ferritin and hemoglobin was seen in atherosclerotic carotid and coronary arteries. The immunoreactivity of hemoglobin was significantly correlated to the same regions of ferritin immunoreactivity on serial sections. The staining intensity of hemoglobin and ferritin was also significantly correlated. Hemoglobin deposition is often associated with microvessels adjacent to the lipid core areas in advanced lesions, where most CD68-positive macrophages were. CD163 expression appeared in both early and advanced lesions. The accumulation of tissue iron and ferritin also frequently occurs in CD163-positive and vesselrich regions in the advanced atheroma. Although they were not always correspondingly positive on the serial sections, tissue iron and ferritin were significantly correlated. We conclude that erythrophagocytosis and hemoglobin catabolism by macrophages contribute to iron deposition and ferritin induction in human atheroma. The involvement of CD163 during ferritin induction may play an important role in modulating inflammatory processes in atherogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]