Τίτλος:
Expression of heregulin in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Background: Endothelial cells, monocytes/macrophages, and vascular
smooth muscle cells contribute to the establishment and progression of
atherosclerotic lesions by expressing growth and inflammatory factors.
The aim of the present study was to determine whether heregulin (HRG) is
associated with human coronary artery disease. Methods: Twenty-six fresh
human coronary artery segments were collected at autopsy. Expression of
cysteine-rich 61 (CYR61) and VEGF in response to HRG was studied in the
human endothelial cell line EA. hy926, and expression of CYR61 and HRG
was evaluated in activated macrophages isolated from peripheral blood of
healthy donors. Results: We found that HRG was overexpressed at the
protein and mRNA level in all lesions analyzed and gradually increased
as the stages of the lesions progressed. Expression of HRG was observed
in the intima primarily in macrophages. The same specimens were analyzed
for the expression of CYR61, an angiogenetic factor regulated by HRG in
breast cancer epithelial cells. CYR61 was expressed in both normal and
atheromatic specimens, but its expression was significantly enhanced in
macrophages of the intima. Activation of primary human macrophages
results in increased expression of both HRG and CYR61. In addition,
studies in endothelial cells where no endogenous HRG is present showed
that HRG induces expression of CYR61 and secretion of VEGF. Conclusions:
HRG may, therefore, play an important role in the development of
coronary artery disease and the expansion of the atherosclerotic plaque
and may locally regulate the expression of the angiogenetic factor
CYR61. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Συγγραφείς:
Panutsopulos, D
Arvanitis, DL
Tsatsanis, C
Papalambros, E
and Sigala, F
Spandidos, DA
Περιοδικό:
Journal of Vascular Research
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
angiogenesis; coronary disease; growth factors; macrophages
