Sustained upregulation of inflammatory chemokine and its receptor in aneurysmal and occlusive atherosclerotic disease: results form tissue analysis with cDNA macroarray and real-time reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction methods.

Background: Although cytokines are known to be pivotal in the development of atherosclerotic diseases, few data exist regarding their expressions in the established stages such as aneurysmal or occlusive lesions. Therefore, in the present study the gene expression levels of cytokine-related substances in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and carotid artery stenosis (CAS) were determined using cDNA macroarray and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods.

Methods And Results: Tissue samples were obtained from 31 patients with AAA and 24 with CAS.

Altered expression balance of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in human carotid plaque disruption: results of quantitative tissue analysis using real-time RT-PCR method.

Background: The balance between degradation and synthesis of extracellular matrix determines its content in atherosclerotic tissue. To examine the role of expression balance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) in the development and disruption of atherosclerotic plaque, these gene expressions in human carotid plaque were quantitatively determined by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

Methods: Total RNA for cDNA synthesis was extracted from tissues in 24 patients with carotid endarterectomy.

Application of real-time RT-PCR to quantifying gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in human abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: The relative expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), key regulators in remodeling of extracellular matrix, are considered to play a pivotal role in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, few data exist regarding quantitative assessment of their expression in clinical settings.

Methods: In 22 patients with AAA who underwent graft replacement, tissue samples of the AAA and non-dilated aorta were obtained.