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The role and mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine for atherosclerosis in animal models: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267968. [PMID: 35500001 PMCID: PMC9060352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Atherosclerosis(AS) is widely recognized as a risk factor for incident cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is the active ingredient of Ligusticum wallichii that possesses a variety of biological activities against atherosclerosis. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to study the impact of and mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine for atherosclerosis in animal models. Methods A systematic search was conducted of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science database, Chinese Biomedical (CBM) database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang data, and Vip Journal Integration Platform, covering the period from the respective start date of each database to December 2021. We used SYRCLE’s 10-item checklist and Rev-Man 5.3 software to analyze the data and the risk of bias. Results Twelve studies, including 258 animals, met the inclusion criteria. Compared with the control group, TMP significantly reduced aortic atherosclerotic lesion area, and induced significant decreases in levels of TC (SMD = ‐2.67, 95% CI -3.68 to -1.67, P < 0.00001), TG (SMD = ‐2.43, 95% CI -3.39 to -1.47, P < 0.00001), and LDL-C (SMD = ‐2.87, 95% CI -4.16 to -1.58, P < 0.00001), as well as increasing HDL-C (SMD = 2.04, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.03, P = 0.001). TMP also significantly modulated plasma inflammatory responses and biological signals associated with atherosclerosis. In subgroup analysis, the groups of high-dose TMP (≥50 mg/kg) showed better results than those of the control group. No difference between various durations of treatment groups or various assessing location groups. Conclusion TMP exerts anti-atherosclerosis functions in an animal model of AS mediated by anti-inflammatory action, antioxidant action, ameliorating lipid metabolism disorder, protection of endothelial function, antiplatelet activity, reducing the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells, inhibition of angiogenesis, antiplatelet aggregation. Due to the limitations of the quantity and quality of current studies, the above conclusions need to be verified by more high-quality studies. Trial registration number PROSPERO registration no.CRD42021288874.
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Zhao FY, Xu SL, Zhang CF, Liu J, Zhang Y, Yang J, Xing XQ. PDGF mediates pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by regulating NFATc2. Mol Med Rep 2020; 23:39. [PMID: 33179105 PMCID: PMC7684858 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The reconstruction of pulmonary vascular structure caused by the proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is the central link in the formation of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) can regulate the proliferation and migration of PASMCs. At the same time, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATs) plays an important role in the development of PAH. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports yet regarding whether PDGF regulates NFATc2 to increase the proliferation of PASMCs. The present study aimed to investigate whether PDGF affects the proliferation and migration of PASMCs by regulating NFAT, and to study the pathogenesis of PAH. PASMCs were treated with recombinant PDGF; Cell Counting Kit-8 and clone formation experiments showed that PDGF enhanced the cell viability and proliferation of PASMCs. Cell cycle distribution and molecular markers related to cell proliferation (cyclin D1, CDK4 and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen) were detected by flow cytometry, and the results indicated that PDGF promoted the division of PAMSCs. The scratch migration and Transwell migration assays showed that the migratory ability of PASMCs was enhanced following PDGF treatment. Changes in NFATs (NFATc1-5) after PDGF treatment were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting; NFATc2 showed the most significant results. Finally, PDGF-treated cells were treated with an NFAT pathway inhibitor, cyclosporin A, or a small interfering RNA targeting NFATc2, and changes in cell proliferation and migration were evaluated to assess the role of NFATc2 in PDGF-induced cell proliferation and migration. In conclusion, PDGF may regulate PASMC proliferation and migration by regulating the expression of NFAT, further leading to the occurrence of PAH. It is proposed that NFATc2 could be used as a potential target for PAH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Yun Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650051, P.R. China
| | - Shuang-Lan Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, The Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650021, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Fang Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212000, P.R. China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, The Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650021, P.R. China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650051, P.R. China
| | - Jiao Yang
- First Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China
| | - Xi-Qian Xing
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, The Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan 650021, P.R. China
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Takahashi J, Orcholski M, Yuan K, de Jesus Perez V. PDGF-dependent β-catenin activation is associated with abnormal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation in pulmonary arterial hypertension. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:101-9. [PMID: 26787464 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by excessive pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) growth, partially in response to PDGF-BB but whether this is dependent on β-catenin (βC) activation is unclear. Compared to healthy cells, PAH PASMCs demonstrate higher levels of proliferation both at baseline and with PDGF-BB that correlate with GSK3β dependent βC activation. We show that βC knockdown but not Wnt5a stimulation reduces PDGF-BB dependent growth and normalizes PAH PASMCs proliferation. These findings support that cross-talk between PDGF and Wnt signaling modulates PASMC proliferation and suggest that βC targeted therapies could treat abnormal vascular remodeling in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Takahashi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,The Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University Medical Center, CA, USA
| | - Mark Orcholski
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,The Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University Medical Center, CA, USA
| | - Ke Yuan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,The Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University Medical Center, CA, USA
| | - Vinicio de Jesus Perez
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,The Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University Medical Center, CA, USA
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Khan B, Bauman WA, Sinha AK, Kahn NN. Non-conventional hemostatic risk factors for coronary heart disease in individuals with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 2011; 49:858-66. [PMID: 21606930 DOI: 10.1038/sc.2011.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Review. OBJECTIVES In subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI), there is strong evidence for platelet hyperactivity, which may stimulate atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). The literature was reviewed. BACKGROUND Individuals with SCI develop premature CHD. In addition to the conventional risk factors associated with CHD, there are pathologic hematological factors involved in atherogenesis that are similar to those that have been demonstrated in individuals with diabetes, and these hematological factors might affect individuals with SCI. One such hematological factor, platelet aggregation, is essential for the development of CHD, which results from thrombus formation in the coronary vasculature. Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and is thought to have a beneficial role in inhibiting atherogenesis; therefore, it is possible that individuals with SCI have impaired PGI(2) receptor function. METHODS We reviewed the literature by conducting a search using PubMed (1970-2007). RESULTS Acute thrombosis is emerging as an important factor in the etiology of CHD and therefore could mediate the risk of CHD in persons with SCI, in addition to previously known risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hyperinsulinemia. Because PGI(2) may retard atherogenesis through its inhibitory effects on platelet function, we discuss the effects of PGI(2) on platelets in persons with SCI in this review. CONCLUSIONS Subjects with chronic SCI develop abnormal platelet function, resulting in the production of atherogenic and thrombogenic factors for the following reasons: (1) the PGI(2) and insulin receptors on their platelets are impaired; (2) thrombin generation and platelet-derived growth factor release are elevated; (3) insulin-induced nitric oxide production by platelets is markedly impaired; and (4) a circulating antibody (immunoglobulin G (IgG)) blocks the antithrombotic effect of both insulin and PGI(2) receptors. Thus, this IgG molecule is thought to be one of the pathological mediators of the increased incidence of CHD in individuals with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Khan
- American University of Antigua COM, New York, NY, USA
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Kahn NN, Feldman SP, Bauman WA. Lower-extremity functional electrical stimulation decreases platelet aggregation and blood coagulation in persons with chronic spinal cord injury: a pilot study. J Spinal Cord Med 2010; 33:150-8. [PMID: 20486534 PMCID: PMC2869270 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2010.11689690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) develop premature cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise reduces the incidence and symptoms of cardiovascular disease in able-bodied individuals; these salutary effects of exercise have not been documented in persons with SCI. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of functional electrical stimulation leg cycle ergometry (FES-LCE) exercise training on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation in persons with SCI. PARTICIPANTS Subjects (n=14) with stable chronic (>1 year) paraplegia (T1-T10) or tetraplegia (C4-C8). METHODS Blood samples were collected before and after the first and eighth sessions (2 sessions per week for 4 weeks) of FES exercise. RESULTS Platelet aggregation was inhibited by 20% after the first session and by 40% (P < 0.001) after the eighth session. Thrombin activity was unchanged after the first session (10.7 +/- 0.85 s to 10.43 +/- 0.56 s) and decreased after the eighth session (12.5 +/- 1.98 s to 11.1 +/- 1.7 s; P < 0.0003). Antithrombin III activity increased after the first (103.8% +/- 8.9% to 110% +/- 6.9%; P < 0.0008) and eighth sessions (107.8% +/- 12.1% to 120.4% +/- 13.1%; P < 0.0001). Cyclic adenosine monophosphate increased after the first (9.9% + 2.5% to 15.8% +/- 3%; P < 0.001) and eighth sessions (17.8% +/- 4.2% to 36.5% +/- 7.6%; P < 0.0001). After the eighth session, factors V and X increased significantly (88% +/- 27% to 103% +/- 23%, P < 0.0001; 100% +/- 40% to 105% +/- 7%, P < 0.01, respectively); factors VII and VIII and fibrinogen did not change significantly. A significant reduction in platelet activation/aggregation was demonstrated in response to FES-LCE. The decrease in thrombin level was caused by the simultaneous increase in antithrombin activity. CONCLUSION These findings provide new insight into the potential protective effects of FES-LCE against the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nighat N Kahn
- Center of Excellence, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 W. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA.
| | | | - William A Bauman
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York
,Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York
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Anderson L. Candidate-based proteomics in the search for biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. J Physiol 2005; 563:23-60. [PMID: 15611012 PMCID: PMC1665562 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2004.080473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2004] [Accepted: 12/16/2004] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The key concept of proteomics (looking at many proteins at once) opens new avenues in the search for clinically useful biomarkers of disease, treatment response and ageing. As the number of proteins that can be detected in plasma or serum (the primary clinical diagnostic samples) increases towards 1000, a paradoxical decline has occurred in the number of new protein markers approved for diagnostic use in clinical laboratories. This review explores the limitations of current proteomics protein discovery platforms, and proposes an alternative approach, applicable to a range of biological/physiological problems, in which quantitative mass spectrometric methods developed for analytical chemistry are employed to measure limited sets of candidate markers in large sets of clinical samples. A set of 177 candidate biomarker proteins with reported associations to cardiovascular disease and stroke are presented as a starting point for such a 'directed proteomics' approach.
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Peterson TC, Peterson MR, Robertson HA, During M, Dragunow M. Selective down-regulation of c-jun gene expression by pentoxifylline and c-jun antisense interrupts platelet-derived growth factor signaling: pentoxifylline inhibits phosphorylation of c-Jun on serine 73. Mol Pharmacol 2002; 61:1476-88. [PMID: 12021409 DOI: 10.1124/mol.61.6.1476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signals through several pathways, including mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, Jun kinase, and C kinase, and stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts. Pentoxifylline inhibits PDGF-driven proliferation of fibroblasts. We have reported that pentoxifylline did not inhibit binding of PDGF to its specific cell-surface receptors or PDGF receptor phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated the effect of PDGF on the expression of c-fos and c-jun, because c-fos and c-jun form activator protein-1 complexes that stimulate genes involved in proliferation. We determined whether pentoxifylline would alter the expression of c-fos and c-jun. Our results indicate that PDGF induced the expression of both c-fos and c-jun. Pentoxifylline effectively reduced c-jun gene expression, which had been up-regulated by PDGF, but did not alter c-fos gene expression. The lack of effect on c-fos supports other studies from this laboratory, which indicate that pentoxifylline did not inhibit PDGF activation of MAP kinase. Treatment of fibroblasts with a phosphothioate c-jun antisense oligodeoxynucleotide reduced the levels of c-Jun protein and blocked PDGF-stimulated proliferation, suggesting a critical role for c-jun in PDGF-mediated proliferation. Combination of pentoxifylline and c-jun antisense suggested that they were likely inhibiting PDGF-stimulated proliferation at a single site in the PDGF signaling pathway. These results suggest that pentoxifylline inhibits PDGF-stimulated proliferation by selectively decreasing c-jun expression. To further define the mechanism of action of pentoxifylline, we assessed the effect of pentoxifylline on c-Jun and phosphorylated c-Jun immunoreactivity in cells treated with PDGF and cells that were transfected with wild-type c-jun plasmid using immunocytochemistry and Western blot analyses, and our results indicate that pentoxifylline inhibited phosphorylation of c-Jun on serine 73.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa C Peterson
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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Pfeiffer JR, Howes PS, Waters MA, Hynes ML, Schnurr PP, Demidenko E, Bech FR, Morganelli PM. Levels of expression of Fcgamma receptor IIA (CD32) are decreased on peripheral blood monocytes in patients with severe atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2001; 155:211-8. [PMID: 11223444 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9150(00)00541-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To obtain information in vivo concerning the role of Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaR) in atherosclerosis, we used quantitative flow cytometry to measure the levels of expression of FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIIA on peripheral monocytes in patients with severe atherosclerosis. Expression of several other markers was also measured. We found that differences in the levels of expression of FcgammaRI were not statistically significant when compared between patients and control subjects. For FcgammaRIIA, levels of expression were decreased in the patient group, a difference that was statistically significant. Levels of expression of CD14 and CD36 were also significantly decreased in the patient group. The decrease in expression of FcgammaRIIA was statistically significant when the effects of current cigarette smoking status or medication use, including statins, were taken into account. There was also a positive and statistically significant correlation between high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and levels of expression of FcgammaRIIA for all subjects. In contrast, decreased levels of expression of CD14 and CD36 were strongly associated with current smoking status or statin use. In summary, levels of expression of FcgammaRIIA on peripheral blood monocytes were significantly decreased in patients with clinical atherosclerosis. Additional studies are warranted to determine if levels of expression of FcgammaRIIA have utility as a phenotypic marker for assessing relative risk of atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Pfeiffer
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Research 151, White River Junction, VT 05009, USA
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9
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Kahn NN. Platelet-stimulated thrombin and PDGF are normalized by insulin and Ca2+ channel blockers. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY 1999; 276:E856-62. [PMID: 10329979 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.1999.276.5.e856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Coronary artery disease is accelerated in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Because prostacyclin (PGI2) may retard atherogenesis through its inhibitory effects on platelet function, the role of PGI2 on SCI platelets was determined. The SCI platelets were neither hypersensitive to aggregating agonists nor resistant to the inhibitory effect of PGI2, but PGI2 failed to inhibit platelet-stimulated thrombin generation and the release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in SCI. Because thrombin and PDGF are atherogenic mitogens, the generation of these mitogens was investigated. Both the release of PDGF and thrombin generation in SCI platelets were higher when compared with control (n = 12). Treatment of non-SCI platelets with 100 nM PGE1 (a stable probe of PGI2) inhibited the release of the mitogens by 90% (P < 0.001), with no effect on SCI platelets. Scatchard analysis of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) binding showed a 70% decrease of PGI2 receptors on the SCI platelet surface. Treatment of SCI platelets with insulin or Ca2+ channel blockers restored the PGI2-receptor number and "normalized" the inhibition of PDGF release and thrombin generation by PGI2.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N Kahn
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York 10029, USA.
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Abstract
Intermittent claudication is an early manifestation of atherosclerosis in the leg. The prognosis for the claudicating limb is reasonably good, but patients have excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates compared with a control population. Increasing evidence suggests that the calf pain experienced when walking followed by rest generates a low-grade inflammatory response. The cumulative effects of these individual events may have an adverse effect on the progression of atherosclerosis. A review of the literature was performed to identify studies measuring the exercise-induced inflammatory response in claudicants and to try to identify the role of cumulative inflammatory changes in the progression of atherosclerosis. The effect of exercise training on these markers is briefly explored. Walking until the onset of calf pain (ischaemia) followed by rest (reperfusion) results in the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals, neutrophil activation and a generalized increase in vascular permeability. Baseline levels of chronic inflammatory markers such as acute-phase proteins are elevated in claudicants compared with controls, suggesting that the transient acute inflammatory response has longer-term consequences. Therapeutic exercise training appears to lead to an attenuation of these inflammatory markers. Intermittent claudication can be considered as part of an inflammatory disease process. However, the concerns that exercise training might potentiate the vascular inflammatory response appear to be unjustified, although further work is needed to clarify this. Exercise training should therefore be considered as an important treatment option for claudication.
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Affiliation(s)
- P V Tisi
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Southampton General Hospital, UK
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Billett MA, Adbeish IS, Alrokayan SA, Bennett AJ, Marenah CB, White DA. Increased expression of genes for platelet-derived growth factor in circulating mononuclear cells of hypercholesterolemic patients. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1996; 16:399-406. [PMID: 8630666 DOI: 10.1161/01.atv.16.3.399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is implicated in the accumulation of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic lesions following monocyte migration through the vascular endothelium. We show here a 15- to 20-fold increase in expression of PDGF-A and -B genes (as measured by a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay of mRNA concentration) in circulating monocytes of hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic patients compared with normocholesterolemic individuals. Strong positive correlations between PDGF-A and -B mRNA concentrations indicate that the two genes are coordinately regulated in mononuclear cells in both normal and hypercholesterolemic individuals. PDGF gene expression in patients correlates with concentrations of plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a proven risk factor for atherosclerosis. Activation of monocyte PDGF expression may be an important component of the atherosclerotic risk associated with raised cholesterol levels and may represent an essential step in the early stages of atherogenesis. However, the marked increases in PDGF mRNA levels in patients with modest hypercholesterolemia compared with normal subjects suggest that other factors are involved. The relationship of monocyte PDGF expression to other atherosclerotic risk factors and to the different stages of atherosclerosis needs to be carefully evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Billett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, UK
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