Elastin- and Collagen-Rich Human Carotid Plaques Have Increased Levels of the Cysteine Protease Inhibitor Cystatin C.

Summary, in English

Background: Cystatin C is a major inhibitor of the elastin- and collagen-degrading cysteine proteases and may therefore have an important role in preserving atherosclerotic plaque stability. In this study we analyzed the associations between human carotid plaque cystatin C expression and the plaque content of collagen and elastin. Methods: Thirty-one plaques were removed by endarterectomy and homogenized. Cystatin C levels were analyzed by densitometry of Western blots and elastin and collagen levels were determined colorimetrically. Results: The plaque content of cystatin C correlated with total elastin (r = 0.58, p = 0.001) and collagen (r = 0.50, p = 0.004), as well as with cross-linked forms of elastin (r = 0.42, p = 0.022) and collagen (r = 0.52, p = 0.003). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that cystatin C colocalized with elastin and collagen. No correlation was seen between cystatin C and the amount of degraded elastin or collagen in plaques. Conclusion: The positive correlation between cystatin C levels and collagen and elastin levels in plaques supports the notion that cystatin C plays an important role in maintaining atherosclerotic plaque stability. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

• Författare: Isabel Goncalves; Mikko P S Ares; Anna Moberg; Jonatan Moses; Fong To; Jonathan Montan; Luís M Pedro; Nuno Dias; José Fernandes E Fernandes; Gunilla Nordin Fredrikson; Jan Nilsson; Stefan Jovinge; Eva Bengtsson
• Avdelning/ar: Kardiovaskulär forskning - translationella studier; Kardiovaskulär forskning - immunitet och ateroskleros; Vaskulära sjukdomar - kliniska studier; Stamcellscentrum (SCC)
• Publiceringsår: 2008
• Språk: Engelska
• Sidor: 395-401
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: Journal of Vascular Research
• Volym: 45
• Issue: 5
• Länkar: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18376131?dopt=Abstract; http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000121474
• Dokumenttyp: Artikel i tidskrift
• Förlag: Karger
• Ämne: Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
• Status: Published
• Forskningsgrupp: Cardiovascular Research - Translational Studies; Cardiovascular Research - Immunity and Atherosclerosis; Vascular Diseases - Clinical Research
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISSN: 1423-0135