Activator protein-1 in carotid plaques is related to cerebrovascular symptoms and cholesteryl ester content.

Summary, in English

INTRODUCTION: Transcription factor activator protein-1 regulates genes involved in inflammation and repair. The aim of this study was to determine whether transcription factor activator protein-1 activity in carotid plaques is related to symptoms, lipid accumulation, or extracellular matrix composition. METHODS: Twenty-eight atherosclerotic carotid plaques were removed by endarterectomy and divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of ipsilateral symptoms (<1 month ago). Activator protein-1 DNA binding activity was assessed, and subunit (c-Jun, JunD, JunB, c-Fos, FosB, Fra-1, Fra-2) protein levels analyzed by immunoblotting. Distribution of c-Jun in plaques was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Plaques associated with symptoms had increased activator protein-1 activity and increased expression of c-Jun and JunD, as compared to asymptomatic plaques. Fra-1 and Fra-2 were present in equal amounts in both groups, whereas JunB, FosB, and c-Fos were undetectable. Activator protein-1 activity correlated with cholesteryl ester and elastin in plaques and decreased with age. Activator protein-1 activity did not correlate with collagen, calcified tissue, or proteoglycan content. CONCLUSIONS: Activator protein-1 is increased in plaques associated with symptoms. The correlation between activator protein-1 and cholesteryl esters suggests that high activator protein-1 is a marker of plaque vulnerability. Activator protein-1 expression can also reflect the activation of repair processes.

• Author: Isabel Goncalves; Maria Stollenwerk; Marie Lindholm; Nuno Dias; Luís M Pedro; José Fernandes E Fernandes; Jonatan Moses; Gunilla Nordin Fredrikson; Jan Nilsson; Mikko Ares
• Department/s: EXODIAB: Excellence of Diabetes Research in Sweden; EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health; Cardiovascular Research - Translational Studies; Cardiovascular Research - Immunity and Atherosclerosis; Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö
• Publishing year: 2011
• Language: English
• Pages: 36-43
• Publication/Series: Cardiovascular Pathology
• Volume: 20
• Links: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19919900?dopt=Abstract; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carpath.2009.09.003
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Topic: Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Status: Published
• Research group: Cardiovascular Research - Translational Studies; Cardiovascular Research - Immunity and Atherosclerosis
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1879-1336