Hypoxia in abdominal aortic aneurysm supports a role for HIF-1α and Ets-1 as drivers of matrix metalloproteinase upregulation in human aortic smooth muscle cells.

Background/aims: We sought to determine whether hypoxia is an initiating factor in the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) up-regulation observed in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and whether hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) or Ets-1 are mediating factors.

Methods: Human AAA and normal aorta were analysed for MMP-2, HIF-1α and Ets-1 by immunohistochemistry. Human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) cultures exposed to experimental hypoxia were analysed for hypoxia-induced proteins using gelatin zymography and immunoblotting.

The two homologous chaperonin 60 proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have distinct effects on monocyte differentiation into osteoclasts.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces two homologous chaperonin (Cpn)60 proteins, Cpn60.1 and Cpn60.2 (Hsp65).

Differential expression of TRAIL and its receptors relative to calcification in AAA.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is commonly associated with atherosclerosis. Human AAA tissue displays cells undergoing all stages of apoptosis. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in tumour cells but not in normal cells.

Expression of heat shock protein 32 (hemoxygenase-1) in the normal and inflamed human stomach and colon: an immunohistochemical study.

Heat shock protein 32 (Hsp32, hemoxygenase-1) is induced by reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) and degrades heme leading to the formation of antioxidant bilirubin. Increased mucosal generation of ROM occurs in gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to assess mucosal expression of Hsp32 in normal stomach and colon and to test the hypothesis that disease-related differential expression occurs in inflamed tissue.

The transcription factors hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha and Ets-1 colocalize in the hypoxic synovium of inflamed joints in adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Objective: To determine the relationship between hypoxia and the expression of Ets-1 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in both normal and inflamed joints. Adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) was used as the model system, since it mirrors many aspects of the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Adjuvant arthritis was induced in a group of 10 female Lewis rats.