@article{2996270,
    title = "Vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques: Relationship with plaque destabilization via neovascularization",
    author = "Papalambros, E. and Sigala, F. and Georgopoulos, S. and Panou, N. and Kavatzas, N. and Agapitos, M. and Bastounis, E.",
    journal = "Cerebrovascular Diseases",
    year = "2004",
    volume = "18",
    number = "2",
    pages = "160-165",
    issn = "1015-9770, 1421-9786",
    doi = "10.1159/000079736",
    keywords = "cholesterol;  gelatinase B;  vasculotropin, adult;  aged;  artery occlusion;  article;  atherosclerosis;  atherosclerotic plaque;  brain scintiscanning;  clinical study;  endarterectomy;  female;  histopathology;  human;  human tissue;  immunohistochemistry;  major clinical study;  male;  morphology;  neovascularization (pathology);  priority journal;  protein expression;  symptom, Aged;  Aged, 80 and over;  Carotid Artery Diseases;  Cohort Studies;  Endothelium, Vascular;  Female;  Humans;  Immunohistochemistry;  Macrophages;  Male;  Matrix Metalloproteinase 9;  Middle Aged;  Muscle, Smooth, Vascular;  Neovascularization, Physiologic;  Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A",
    abstract = "Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on carotid plaque destabilization in association with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) production. Methods: Expression of VEGF and MMP-9 were determined immunohistochemically in 53 human endarterectomized atherosclerotic carotid plaques. The relationship to carotid plaque characteristics, clinical data and histological morphology was investigated. Results: VEGF and MMP-9 had parallel overexpression in the inflammatory cells, especially in the neovascularized plaque lesions and around the cholesterol crystals. Strong expression of VEGF was evident in symptomatic patients (p < 0.057), in high-degree stenosis (p = 0.005), and in patients with ischemic infarct in brain scan (p = 0.021). No relation was proved between molecule expression and plaque ultrasonic characteristics. Conclusions: An intense expression of VEGF and MMP-9 in carotid plaques is related to plaque instability, high degree of stenosis and presence of symptomatic carotid occlusive disease. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel."
}