E-selectin expression increased in human ruptured cerebral aneurysm tissues.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the expression of inflammation factor endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule (E-selectin, CD62E) in cerebral aneurysm walls and its relationship with aneurysm rupture.

Methods: Cerebral aneurysm tissue samples were collected at the time of surgical clipping of nine patients with history of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and then compared with control artery tissues from the superficial temporal arteries (STA) of five patients with intracranial tumors. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to reveal and localize E-selectin expression in the aneurysms and artery tissues. Western blot analysis was used to relatively quantify the level of E-selectine protein expression in cerebral aneurysms when compared with normal arteries.

Results: E-selectin was detected in the wall of all the aneurysm tissue samples and was rarely found in normal control arteries by IHC, and it was concentrated in proliferating and disorganized epithelia cells. Moreover, with the Western blot method, the E-selectin protein level increased significantly in aneurysm tissues compared to normal STA.

Conclusions: E-selectin might be an important factor involved in the process of cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture, by promoting inflammation and weakening cerebral artery walls.