Differential responses to thrombospondin-1 and PDGF-BB in smooth muscle cells from atherosclerotic coronary arteries and internal thoracic arteries.

Atherosclerosis is rare in internal thoracic arteries (ITA) even in patients with severe atherosclerotic coronary artery (ACA) disease. To explore cellular differences, ITA SMC from 3 distinct donors and ACA SMC from 3 distinct donors were grown to sub-confluence and growth arrested for 48 h. Proliferation and thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) production were determined using standard techniques.

Expression of Cyr61 in ApoE mice with chronic unilateral renal artery ligation.

Cyr61 is a member of the CCN family of proteins that is expressed in atherosclerotic lesions and regulated by angiotensin II. It is unknown whether renal artery stenosis (RAS) increases Cyr61 expression. Male ApoE mice were randomized to surgically induced RAS, RAS + treatment with either irbesartan, aliskiren or amlodipine or sham-surgery.

Effects of Restoration of Blood Flow on the Development of Aortic Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice With Unilateral Renal Artery Stenosis.

Background: Chronic unilateral renal artery stenosis (RAS) causes accelerated atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice, but effects of restoration of renal blood flow on aortic atherosclerosis are unknown.

Methods And Results: Male ApoE(-/-) mice underwent sham surgery (n=16) or had partial ligation of the right renal artery (n=41) with the ligature being removed 4 days later (D4LR; n=6), 8 days later (D8LR; n=11), or left in place for 90 days (chronic RAS; n=24). Ligature removal at 4 or 8 days resulted in improved renal blood flow, decreased plasma angiotensin II levels, a return of systolic blood pressure to baseline, and increased plasma levels of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin.

beta(3)-Integrin cytoplasmic binding proteins.

Integrins are cell-surface adhesion receptors that play an important role in mediating numerous physiological processes,including inflammation, migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Integrin regulation by events within the cell has been termed "inside-out " signaling; this is a capacity that is unique to integrin receptors. As is typical of other cell-surface receptors, integrins can also transduce signals from outside the cell into the cytoplasm on binding extracellular ligands ("outside-in signaling ").