Conditional quantum phase gate between two 3-state atoms

We propose a scheme for conditional quantum logic between two 3-state atoms that share a quantum data bus such as a single mode optical field in cavity QED systems, or a collective vibrational state of trapped ions. Making use of quantum interference, our scheme achieves successful conditional phase evolution without any real transitions of atomic internal states or populating the quantum data bus. In addition, it requires only common addressing of the two atoms by external laser fields.

Creating maximally entangled atomic states in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We propose a protocol to create maximally entangled pairs, triplets, quartiles, and other clusters of Bose-condensed atoms starting from a condensate in the Mott insulator state. The essential element is to drive single atom Raman transitions using laser pulses. Our scheme is simple, efficient, and can be readily applied to the recent experimental system as reported by M. Greiner 413, 44 (2002)].

Stochastic vs. deterministic modeling of intracellular viral kinetics

Within its host cell, a complex coupling of transcription, translation, genome replication, assembly, and virus release processes determines the growth rate of a virus. Mathematical models that account for these processes can provide insights into the understanding as to how the overall growth cycle depends on its constituent reactions. Deterministic models based on ordinary differential equations can capture essential relationships among virus constituents. However, an infection may be initiated by a single virus particle that delivers its genome, a single molecule of DNA or RNA, to its host cell. Under such conditions, a stochastic model that allows for inherent fluctuations in the levels of viral constituents may yield qualitatively different behavior. To compare modeling approaches, we developed a simple model of the intracellular kinetics of a generic virus, which could be implemented deterministically or stochastically. The model accounted for reactions that synthesized and depleted viral nucleic acids and structural proteins. Linear stability analysis of the deterministic model showed the existence of two nodes, one stable and one unstable. Individual stochastic simulation runs could access and remain at the unstable node. In addition, deterministic and averaged stochastic simulations yielded different transient kinetics and different steady-state levels of viral components, particularly for low multiplicities of infection (MOI), where few virus particles initiate the infection. Furthermore, a bimodal population distribution of viral components was observed for low MOI stochastic simulations. The existence of a low-level infected subpopulation of cells, which could act as a viral reservoir, suggested a potential mechanism of viral persistence.

Genistein and methoxychlor modulate the activity of natural killer cells and the expression of phenotypic markers by thymocytes and splenocytes in F0 and F1 generations of Sprague-Dawley rats

The isoflavone genistein (GE) and methoxychlor (MXC) have been shown to be estrogenic in both in vitro and in vivo experimental systems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of GE and MXC on the immune system in adult and developing rats and the potential interaction between these compounds in their immunomodulatory actions. Timely pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to GE (300 or 800 ppm), MXC (800 ppm), or their combinations in feed starting on day 1 of gestation. The offspring were exposed to these chemicals gestationally and lactationally. Immunological evaluation was performed on postnatal day 22. In F0 females, exposure to GE had no effect on the percentages of thymocyte subsets, but caused a significant decrease in the absolute thymus weight at the 800-ppm dose level. In the spleen, GE did not affect the activity of natural killer cells but induced changes in the percentages of splenic T lymphocyte subsets. Exposure to MXC produced no effect on the immune parameters examined except for a decrease in the percentage of CD4+CD8- thymocytes. Additionally, minimal interaction between GE and MXC was observed. In F(1) males, both GE and MXC decreased the percentage of CD4+CD8- thymocytes, but only GE increased spleen natural killer cell activity. MXC in combination with 300 ppm-GE, but not separately, produced significant decreases in the absolute weights of thymus and spleen. In F1 females, GE decreased the percentage of CD4+CD8- thymocytes, increased the percentage of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, and decreased the activity of spleen natural killer cells. In contrast, MXC increased the percentages of spleen natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells. Overall, the results demonstrate that both GE and MXC can modulate the immune system with greater effects observed in developing rats. Moreover, male and female rats have differential responses to these compounds. A lack of interaction between these two estrogenic chemicals in modulating these immune parameters indicates that their effects on the immune system might involve other mechanisms in addition to the estrogen receptors.

The emission soot of biomass fuels combustion as a source of endocrine disrupters

Emissions of biomass fuel combustion in residential stove from Chinese countryside were analyzed to determine the endocrine disrupters by using recombinant yeast bioassay. The results showed that there were significant steroid modulating activities found in combustion soot of five kinds of biomass fuels, which were wood, crop residue, grass, bush and rice straw. The steroid activities in the different sub-fractions from chromatographic separation were also determined, and the results indicated that polar fraction extracted by methanol and aromatic fraction extracted by benzene had relatively high steroid activities, and aliphatic fraction almost had no activity. The GC/MS results showed that polycyclic aromatic compounds and their derivatives, substituted phenolic compounds and their derivatives, aromatic carbonyl compounds, and higher molecular weight alcohols and ketones may be the main steroid disrupters in these soots.

Genistein modulates immune responses and increases host resistance to B16F10 tumor in adult female B6C3F1 mice

The isoflavone genistein (4,7,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a phytoestrogen found in high levels in soy products that has been associated with decreased incidences of breast and prostate cancers. The potential effects of genistein on the immune system were evaluated in adult female B6C3F1 mice. Groups of mice were exposed to vehicle or genistein by gavage for 28 d. The doses of genistein used were 2, 6 and 20 mg/kg body. Consistent with the chemopreventive effect of genistein, exposure to this compound significantly increased host resistance to B16F10 tumor as reflected by a decrease in the number of lung tumor nodules after tumor cell injection at the middle and high dose levels. Inhibition of B16F10 tumor formation was not due to a direct effect of serum genistein and/or its metabolites on the proliferation of B16F10 tumor cells. When innate and acquired immune responses were evaluated, a dose-related increase of cytotoxic T-cell activity was observed in genistein-treated mice with significant changes observed at the middle and high dose levels. Furthermore, in vitro interleukin (IL)-2-stimulated natural killer (NK) cell activity was significantly enhanced in the high genistein dose group, although the basal NK cell activity was not affected. Although no affect on the mixed lymphocyte responses and anti-CD3 antibody-mediated splenocyte proliferation was observed, exposure to genistein significantly increased basal splenocyte proliferation. Exposure to genistein did not alter the activity of the mononuclear phagocyte system and the cytotoxic/cytostatic function of thioglycollate-recruited peritoneal cells on B16F10 tumor cells. Finally, exposure to genistein did not produce biologically meaningful changes in spleen immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG antibody-forming cell responses. In conclusion, genistein enhanced host resistance as evaluated in the B16F10 tumor model, which may be related to the increases in the activities of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells.

[Construction of Ag85B DNA vaccine for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its immunogenicities]

OBJECTIVE

To construct pcDNA3-Ag85B recombinant and evaluate its immunogenicity and types of immune response induced by recombinant pcDNA3-Ag85B.

METHODS

Ag85B gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was inserted into pcDNA3 to construct DNA vaccine pcDNA3-Ag85B. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly immunized with DNA vaccine, saline and pcDNA3, respectively. The levels of anti-Ag85B antibody were examined with ELISA and the transcripts of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma of spleen lymphocytes stimulated with recombinant Ag85B were tested with RT-PCR at the end of 6th week of inoculation.

RESULTS

Compared with control group, the specific antibody levels against Ag85B were much higher and the IL-2 and IFN-gamma transcripts were up regulated in the pcDNA3-Ag85B group. There was no change of IL-4 and IL-10 expressions in three groups.

CONCLUSION

The pcDNA3-Ag85B stimulated the specific antibody products and induced the Th1 type cell immunity.

A model for strain amplification in the actin cytoskeleton of osteocytes due to fluid drag on pericellular matrix

A model is presented that provides a resolution to a fundamental paradox in bone physiology, namely, that the strains applied to whole bone (i.e., tissue level strains) are much smaller (0.04-0.3 percent) than the strains (1-10 percent) that are necessary to cause bone signaling in deformed cell cultures (Rubin and Lanyon, J. Bone Joint Surg. 66A (1984) 397-410; Fritton et al., J. Biomech. 33 (2000) 317-325). The effect of fluid drag forces on the pericellular matrix (PM), its coupling to the intracellular actin cytoskeleton (IAC) and the strain amplification that results from this coupling are examined for the first time. The model leads to two predictions, which could fundamentally change existing views. First, for the loading range 1-20MPa and frequency range 1-20Hz, it is, indeed, possible to produce cellular level strains in bone that are up to 100 fold greater than normal tissue level strains (0.04-0.3 percent). Thus, the strain in the cell process membrane due to the loading can be of the same order as the in vitro strains measured in cell culture studies where intracellular biochemical responses are observed for cells on stretched elastic substrates. Second, it demonstrates that in any cellular system, where cells are subject to fluid flow and tethered to more rigid supporting structures, the tensile forces on the cell due to the drag forces on the tethering fibers may be many times greater than the fluid shear force on the cell membrane.

Creating massive entanglement of Bose-Einstein condensed atoms

We propose a direct, coherent coupling scheme that can create massively entangled states of Bose-Einstein condensed atoms. Our idea is based on an effective interaction between two atoms from coherent Raman processes through a (two atom) molecular intermediate state. We compare our scheme with other recent proposals for the generation of massive entanglement of Bose condensed atoms.

Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-induced migration and signal transduction in corneal epithelial cells

PURPOSE

To identify signal-transduction pathways induced by glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in corneal epithelial cells and to characterize its effect on cell migration.

METHODS

Expression of GDNF receptor (GFR) alpha-1 in human corneal epithelium was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Expression and phosphorylation of Ret, activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, and phosphorylation of paxillin by GDNF were investigated by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis in primary human corneal epithelial cells and a corneal epithelial cell line. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A and Ras farnesyltransferase inhibitor manumycin were used to specifically inhibit GDNF-induced signaling pathways. In vitro wound-healing assays and modified Boyden chamber analysis were performed to investigate the effect of GDNF on epithelial cell migration.

RESULTS

Expression of GFRalpha-1 was detected in normal and transformed human corneal epithelium. GDNF induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Ret. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and phosphotyrosine kinase (Pyk) 2; serine phosphorylation of c-Raf, MEK1, and Elk 1; and tyrosine-threonine phosphorylation of Erk-1 and -2 were time-dependently activated in the presence of GDNF. Tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin was also induced by GDNF. Migration of corneal epithelial cells was significantly stimulated by GDNF. Herbimycin A strongly inhibited the activation of Ret, FAK, c-Raf, and Erk-1 and -2; the phosphorylation of paxillin; and corneal epithelial cell migration. More specifically, the Ras inhibitor manumycin inhibited phosphorylation of c-Raf, MEK 1, Erk-1 and -2, and Elk 1, but not that of FAK.

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal epithelial cells express receptors specific for GDNF that are used by GDNF to induce intracellular signaling. FAK and MAPK pathways seem to be activated by GDNF to modulate gene transcription and cell migration. FAK seems to be an upstream regulator of the MAPK cascade for GDNF signal transduction. As an inducer of FAK-dependent corneal epithelial migration, GDNF may play an important role in corneal regeneration and wound healing.

[Ectopic expression of human brain derived neurotrophic factor gene in fibroblasts]

The full-length sequence encoding hBDNF was inserted down into the enhancer-promotor regulatory element of Colia1 to construct minigene Colia1-BDNF. The recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pSCEPBFCAT was transfected into human fetal tendon fibroblasts in culture to realize ectopic expression of hBDNF gene in fibroblasts. The results of immuno-dot blot, Elisa and Western hybridization confirm that the expression protein with apparent molecular weight 27 kDa in pSCEPBFCAT transfected fibroblasts possesses antigen activity specific for the antibodies to BDNF.

A new view of mechanotransduction and strain amplification in cells with microvilli and cell processes

In this paper we shall describe new mechanical models for the deformation of the actin filament bundles in kidney microvilli and osteocytic cell processes to see whether these cellular extensions, like the stereocilia on hair cells in the inner ear, can function as mechanotransducers when subject to physiological flow. In the case of kidney microvilli we show that the hydrodynamic drag forces at the microvilli tip are <0.01 pN, but there is a 38-fold force amplification on the actin filaments at the base of the microvilli due to the resisting moment in its terminal web. This leads to forces that are more than sufficient to deform the terminal web complex of the microvillus where ezrin has been shown to couple the actin cytoskeleton to the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. In the case of bone cell processes we show that the actin filament bundles have an effective Young's modulus that is 200 times > the measured modulus for the actin gel in the cell body. It is, therefore, unlikely that bone cell processes respond in vivo to fluid shear stress, as proposed in [59]. However, we show that the fluid drag forces on the pericellular matrix which tethers the cell processes to the canalicular wall can produce a 20-100 fold amplification of bone tissue strains in the actin filament bundle of the cell process.

p14(ARF) modulates the cytolytic effect of ONYX-015 in mesothelioma cells with wild-type p53

ONYX-015 has been reported to kill selectively tumor cells lacking functional p53. Genetic alterations of INK4a/ARF locus, which is a predominant event in malignant pleural mesothelioma, may result in loss of p14(ARF) and subsequent disruption of p53 pathway in cancer cells. In the present study, ONYX-015 was able to kill three mesothelioma cell lines (H28, H513, and 211H) with wild-type p53 but lacking p14(ARF). In contrast, MS-1 mesothelioma cells, which expressed both p53 and p14(ARF), were resistant to ONYX-015. Introducing p14(ARF) gene into the H28 cell, a mesothelioma cell without p14(ARF) expression, significantly increased the resistance of this cell line to the cytolytic effect of ONYX-015. Our results suggest that human mesotheliomas with wild-type p53 yet lacking p14(ARF) are potential candidates for ONYX-015 therapy.

Simulating the growth of viruses

To explore how the genome of an organism defines its growth, we have developed a computer simulation for the intracellular growth of phage T7 on its E. coli host. Our simulation, which incorporates 30 years of genetic, biochemical, physiological, and biophysical data, is used here to study how the intracellular resources of the host, determined by the specific growth rate of the host, contribute toward phage development. It is also used to probe how changes in the linear organization of genetic elements on the T7 genome can affect T7 development. Further, we show how time-series trajectories of T7 mRNA and protein levels generated by the simulation may be used as raw data to test data-mining strategies, specifically, to identify partners in protein-protein interactions. Finally, we suggest how generalization of this work can lead to a knowledge-driven simulation for the growth of any virus.

Induction of hepatic aromatase by p,p'-DDE in adult male rats

1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE, DDE) is a stable metabolite of the pesticide DDT and a persistent environmental pollutant. Earlier reports have demonstrated that DDE is an endocrine-active compound capable of affecting early-stage sexual differentiation in male rats. Experiments based on receptor binding affinity and receptor-mediated transcriptional activation have identified DDE as an androgen receptor antagonist. Other effects of DDE include modulation of the expression and activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, some of which function as steroid hydroxylases, and elevation of serum estrogen levels in treated male rats. These effects suggest the possibility of DDE-caused induction of aromatase, a member of CYP family that catalyzes the conversion of C19 steroids to estrogens. The present study was conducted to determine whether hepatic aromatase was responsive to DDE treatment. We found that hepatic aromatase protein in adult male rats was greatly increased after seven daily oral treatments of DDE at a dosage of 100 mg/kg wt. per day. This induction was seen in both immunoblot and immunohistochemistry of liver tissue sections. Distribution of the aromatase in the liver corresponded to the distribution of hypertrophic hepatocytes in the tissue. Furthermore, we found a large increase in hepatic microsomal aromatase activity in DDE-treated animals, although the difference in serum 17beta-estradiol concentrations between treated animals and controls was not statistically significant. However, an in vitro experiment using primary culture of rat hepatocytes did not show a change in aromatase level after DDE treatment at four concentrations ranging from 0 to 5x10(-6) M for 24 h. Meanwhile, CYP 2B1 induction, a known DDE effect in primary rat hepatocyte culture, was seen in those cells. This study supports the notion that induction of aromatase by DDE is a contributory factor to its reproductive developmental effects.

Indomethacin reduces lung adenoma number in A/J mice

The effects of indomethacin on A/J mice were investigated. The non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) indomethacin reduced significantly the number of lung adenomas 3, 4 or 8 months after urethane injection by 28, 30 and 29% respectively. The density of apoptotic cell bodies increased 2.9-fold in the lung adenomas of A/J mice treated with indomethacin. By immunocytochemistry, COX-2 immunoreactivity was present in the cytosol of lung adenomas, and in epithelial cells lining the bronchioli and bronchus as well as type 2 alveolar cells. COX-1 immunostaining was similar to that of COX-2 in the lungs of urethane-injected mice treated with or without indomethacin. By RT-PCR, COX-1 and COX-2 PCR products were present in mouse lung adenomas, alveoli and bronchioli. These results suggest that indomethacin may inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 in the A/J mouse lung resulting in reduced adenoma formation.

Identification of differentially expressed nucleolar TGF-beta1 target (DENTT) in human lung cancer cells that is a new member of the TSPY/SET/NAP-1 superfamily

The transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) responsive epithelial non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line NCI-H727 was used to identify potential target genes involved in TGF-beta1-mediated responses. Comparative cDNA expression patterns between cells treated with TGF-beta1 and those treated with vehicle were generated by differential mRNA display. One 496-bp fragment, differentially increased threefold by TGF-beta1 and hybridizing to a 2.7-kb mRNA species in NCI-H727 cells by Northern analysis, revealed no significant match to any known gene sequence. The mRNA transcript of this novel gene that we named differentially expressed nucleolar TGF-beta1 target (DENTT) is expressed in several normal human tissues, with the highest level of expression in brain. Human brain cDNA library screening and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends yielded full-length DENTT cDNA containing an 1899-bp open reading frame encoding a predicted 633-amino-acid protein with four potential nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and two coiled-coil regions. DENTT contains a conserved 191-residue domain that shows significant identity to, and defines, the TSPY/TSPY-like/SET/NAP-1 superfamily. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged full-length DENTT transfected into COS-7 cells showed nucleolar and cytoplasmic localization. Transfection of EGFP-tagged DENTT NLS deletion constructs lacking the bipartite NLS-1 were excluded from the nucleolus. While NLS-1 is necessary for nucleolar localization of DENTT, it is not sufficient for sole nucleolar localization. Our data show that DENTT mRNA induction by TGF-beta1 correlates with induction of TGF-beta1 mRNA, induction of extracellular matrix gene expression, and inhibition of colony formation in soft agarose in TGF-beta1 responsive NSCLC cells when exposed to TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1 does not induce DENTT mRNA expression in TGF-beta1 nonresponsive NSCLC cells. Our data suggest that this novel TGF-beta1 target gene has distinct domains for direction to different subnuclear locations.

[Expression of human brain derived neurotrophic factor gene in E. coli]

The primers specific for the full-length BDNF coding sequence was designed and synthesized. The BDNF coding sequence was directly amplified from human genomic DNA by using PCR and inserted into vector pGEM-3Zf(+). The recombinant DNA was transformed into the host cells JM109 to obtain the positive clone pGEMBF18. The restriction enzyme analysis and DNA sequence detection confirmed that the inserted fragment of clone pGEMBF18 is the full-length BDNF coding sequence. The hBDNF DNA fragment was recovered from the clone pGEMBF18 and ligated with prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-5T to construct the recombinant expression plasmid p5TBF34. The E. coli JM109 transformed with p5TBF34 was induced with IPTG. A new protein band with apparent molecular weight 43 kDa was detected in the lysate of the transformed cell by using SDS-PAGE. The result of western hybridization showed that this fusion protein reacted specifically to the antibodies to human BDNF. The amount of the soluble fusion protein was about 503.04 mg/L lysate, 7.53% of total bacterial soluble protein of transformed cells, estimated by absorbance scanning of SDS-PAGE and protein quantitation.

[Purification and biological activity of rh-leptin expressed in Escherichia coli]

The human leptin was successfully expressed with high level in E. coli under the control of PL promotor. The yield of recombinant protein was over 40% of total cellular protein and expressed as inclusion bodies. The recombinant human leptin (rh-leptin) was purified with gel filtration, anion-exchange and reverse chromatography. Refolding was achieved by gradually reducing denaturant using a diafiltration method. The refolded rh-leptin was characterized by SDS-PAGE, Western-blotting and its first 15 amino acid residues sequence of the N-terminal. The purified product was found to be biologically active, reducing the food intake and body weight gain upon testing in BALB/c mice.

Prostaglandin E2 and vasoactive intestinal peptide increase vascular endothelial cell growth factor mRNAs in lung cancer cells

The effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) mRNAs were investigated using lung cancer cells. By RT-PCR, VEGF(121), VEGF(165), and VEGF(189), but not VEGF(206) isoforms were detected in all lung cancer cell lines and biopsy specimens examined. By Northern blot, VEGF mRNA was detected in all small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-SCLC (NSCLC) cell lines examined. PGE2, VIP and forskolin caused increased VEGF expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner using NSCLC cell line NCI-H157. Approximately 1 microM PGE2, 0.1 microM VIP and 50 microM forskolin caused cAMP elevation, 64-, 33- and 128-fold, respectively, using NCI-H157 cells after 5 min. The increase in cAMP caused by PGE(2) and VIP was reversed by somatostatin (SST). Also 1 microM PGE2, 0.1 microM VIP and 50 microM forskolin increased the VEGF mRNA 2.0-, 1.5- and 2.3-fold, respectively, after 4 h. The increase in VEGF mRNA caused by PGE2, VIP and forskolin was inhibited by H-89, a protein kinase A inhibitor. A VIP receptor antagonist, VIPhybrid, inhibited the increase in cAMP and VEGF mRNA caused by VIP. By ELISA, VEGF was detected in the conditioned media exposed to the lung cancer cell lines. These results suggest that VEGF synthesis in and secretion from lung cancer cells can be regulated by agents, which cause adenylyl cyclase activation.

Stage II (N1) lung cancer

As therapies evolve and mature, the authors predict that the next 20 years will see significant advances in the understanding of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in molecular stratification of NSCLC, and significant improvement in survival and cure rates. This survival will be achieved through early detection and combined treatments using effective surgical interventions, improved radiotherapeutics, and especially significantly enhanced, rationally designed systemic therapies.

Petrochemical exposure and menstrual disturbances

BACKGROUND

An exploratory, cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted to examine the effects of benzene exposure on menstrual problems.

METHODS

The study was based on a survey administered to over 3,000 women who worked in a large petrochemical company in Beijing, China. An abnormal menstrual cycle length (AMCL), defined as an average menstrual cycle length of greater than 35 days or less than 21 days, is the major outcome of interest.

RESULTS

After 7 years of benzene exposure, the adjusted odds ratio of having AMCL for each additional 5 years of exposure was 1.71 (95% CI 1.27-2.31). Feeling stressed at work was also an important predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests a significant association of benzene exposure and perceived stress with menstrual disturbance. A prospective study is needed to confirm this finding.

[Matrix metalloproteinase-1 and coronary atheroslerotic plaque rupture]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and coronary atherosclerotic plaque rupture, and the cellular source of MMP-1 within the plaques.

METHODS

42 cases, among which 20 died of acute myocardial infarction, 10 with unstable angina history and 12 with stable angina history but died of other diseases, were selected. All the branch of coronary arteries were examined, parts of the segments were selected for immunohistochemical staining, 5 markers against alpha-smooth muscle actin, CD20, CD45RO, CD68 and MMP-1 were performed.

RESULTS

Plaque rupture and thrombosis were found in almost all the cases of acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina. But in the cases of stable angina, the majority of the plaques were stable ones. The expression of MMP-1 in the ruptured plaques were stronger than the unruptured ones (t = -8.07, P < 0.05); Positive relationship was also noted between the expression of CD68 and MMP-1 (r = 0.75, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Macrophages are capable of degrading extracellular matrix by secreting MMP-1; Enhanced secretion of MMP-1 within the coronary atherosclerotic plaques has significant relationship with plaque rupture.