OBJECTIVE: To investigate apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and caspase-3 expression in ruptured intracranial aneurysm. METHODS: Tissue samples of 15 ruptured intracranial aneurysms, 6 abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and 6 normal vessels were evaluated. Apoptosis in VSMCs was determined on transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry for alpha-SMC actin and direct cell counts (medial VSMCs per high-power field (HPF)) were employed to determine medial VSMC density. Additionally, gene expression of caspase-3 was determined using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: We demonstrated medial VSMCs exhibiting morphological apoptotic changes in cerebral aneurysm and AAA. Medial VSMC density was significantly decreased in intracranial aneurysm (43.9+/-4.3 SMCs/HPF) and AAA (53.2+/-9.4 SMCs/HPF) compared with the normal arteries (222.8+/-12.1 SMCs/HPF; p<0.01). An 8.94-fold and 6.73-fold increase in expression of caspase-3mRNA in intracranial aneurysm and AAA, respectively, were obtained relative to the normal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that real time RT-PCR provides a useful tool to test gene expression in small samples, and may contribute to a better understanding of the role of apoptosis in ruptured intracranial aneurysm.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and caspase-3 expression in ruptured intracranial aneurysm. METHODS: Tissue samples of 15 ruptured intracranial aneurysms, 6 abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and 6 normal vessels were evaluated. Apoptosis in VSMCs was determined on transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry for alpha-SMC actin and direct cell counts (medial VSMCs per high-power field (HPF)) were employed to determine medial VSMC density. Additionally, gene expression of caspase-3 was determined using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: We demonstrated medial VSMCs exhibiting morphological apoptotic changes in cerebral aneurysm and AAA. Medial VSMC density was significantly decreased in intracranial aneurysm (43.9+/-4.3 SMCs/HPF) and AAA (53.2+/-9.4 SMCs/HPF) compared with the normal arteries (222.8+/-12.1 SMCs/HPF; p<0.01). An 8.94-fold and 6.73-fold increase in expression of caspase-3mRNA in intracranial aneurysm and AAA, respectively, were obtained relative to the normal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that real time RT-PCR provides a useful tool to test gene expression in small samples, and may contribute to a better understanding of the role of apoptosis in ruptured intracranial aneurysm.
Authors: Nohra Chalouhi; Muhammad S Ali; Pascal M Jabbour; Stavropoula I Tjoumakaris; L Fernando Gonzalez; Robert H Rosenwasser; Walter J Koch; Aaron S Dumont Journal: J Cereb Blood Flow Metab Date: 2012-07-11 Impact factor: 6.200
Authors: Robert M Starke; Nohra Chalouhi; Dale Ding; Daniel M S Raper; M Sean Mckisic; Gary K Owens; David M Hasan; Ricky Medel; Aaron S Dumont Journal: Transl Stroke Res Date: 2013-10-10 Impact factor: 6.829
Authors: R Kadirvel; Y-H Ding; D Dai; D A Lewis; S Raghavakaimal; H J Cloft; D F Kallmes Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2008-07-03 Impact factor: 3.825