BACKGROUND: Proteolytic imbalance might determine arterial remodeling and plaque destabilization in atherosclerotic vessels. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the patterns of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and MMP inhibitor (TIMP-1) expression in advanced human atheromas, both in relation to the plaque features and the vascular bed involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry for MMP-1, -3, -9 and TIMP-1 as well as the collagen content were measured in vascular sections from patients undergoing peripheral revascularization (carotid n=11, femoral n=23) and aorto-coronary bypass surgery (mammary arteries n=20, as controls). Increased expression of all MMPs was detected in atherosclerotic as compared with control sections (P<0.01). Aneurysmal plaques showed a significant increase of MMP-1 and-3 and a reduction in total collagen (P<0.05) in relation to occlusive lesions. Calcification areas in atherosclerotic plaques were consistently associated with increased TIMP-1 expression (P<0.01). Finally, MMP-9 expression was higher in occlusive lesions from carotid than femoral arteries (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysm lesions expressed higher MMP-1 and-3 expression than occlusive plaques, and MMP-9 was mainly detected in carotid as compared with femoral arteries. TIMP-1 was associated with arterial calcification. These differences in the MMPs/TIMP-1 expression might determine the evolution of advanced atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to its vulnerability.
BACKGROUND: Proteolytic imbalance might determine arterial remodeling and plaque destabilization in atherosclerotic vessels. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the patterns of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and MMP inhibitor (TIMP-1) expression in advanced humanatheromas, both in relation to the plaque features and the vascular bed involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry for MMP-1, -3, -9 and TIMP-1 as well as the collagen content were measured in vascular sections from patients undergoing peripheral revascularization (carotid n=11, femoral n=23) and aorto-coronary bypass surgery (mammary arteries n=20, as controls). Increased expression of all MMPs was detected in atherosclerotic as compared with control sections (P<0.01). Aneurysmal plaques showed a significant increase of MMP-1 and-3 and a reduction in total collagen (P<0.05) in relation to occlusive lesions. Calcification areas in atherosclerotic plaques were consistently associated with increased TIMP-1 expression (P<0.01). Finally, MMP-9 expression was higher in occlusive lesions from carotid than femoral arteries (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Aneurysm lesions expressed higher MMP-1 and-3 expression than occlusive plaques, and MMP-9 was mainly detected in carotid as compared with femoral arteries. TIMP-1 was associated with arterial calcification. These differences in the MMPs/TIMP-1 expression might determine the evolution of advanced atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to its vulnerability.
Authors: Daniel A Pryma; Gregory Ravizzini; David Amar; Virginia L Richards; Jigar B Patel; H William Strauss Journal: J Nucl Cardiol Date: 2005 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 5.952
Authors: Benjamin D Horne; Nicola J Camp; John F Carlquist; Joseph B Muhlestein; Matthew J Kolek; Zachary P Nicholas; Jeffrey L Anderson Journal: Am Heart J Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 4.749
Authors: Jacob Joseph; Michael J Pencina; Thomas J Wang; Laura Hayes; Geoffrey H Tofler; Paul Jacques; Jacob Selhub; Daniel Levy; Ralph B D'Agostino; Emelia J Benjamin; Ramachandran S Vasan Journal: J Hypertens Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 4.844