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- Title
Expression of Cartilage-Specific Markers in Calcified Atherosclerotic Lesion of Uremic and Non-Uremic Patients.
- Authors
Câmpean, V.; Neureiter, D.; Gross, M. L.; Aigner, T.; Amann, K.
- Abstract
Objective: There is increasing evidence that atherosclerosis is more common and more severe in patient with renal failure compared to the non renal population. Since atherosclerosis in renal failure is characterized by increased media and plaque calcification it was suggested that factors usually involved in enchondral ossification may also be expressed in the vasculature. Therefore, it was the aim of the present study to analyse the expression of some cartilage-specific markers in atherosclerotic lesions of uremic and non-uremic patients. Methods: Atherosclerotic lesions in autoptic coronary specimens of 24 patients with or without chronic renal failure were classified from type II to type VIII lesion according to Stary on HE and Kossa stains. Thereafter, using immunhistochemistry and a semiquantitative scoring system the specimens were analysed for in-situ protein expression of the following mineralizing regulating, cartilage specific proteins: aggregating chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (aggrecan), S100, collagen type I and type X. Results: Heavy media calcification was seen in 12 out of the 24 specimens. Qualitative analysis of the coronary arteries showed significantly more calcified plaques of coronary arteries in patients with end-stage renal failure than in non-renal patients. Protein expression of aggrecan was significantly higher in the media beyond atherosclerotic plaques. Inside the plaques, aggrecan protein was also expressed by vascular smooth muscle cells. The expression pattern differed between the plaque subregions, and was particularly high in the regions of the plaque where calcification was seen (i.e. Stary VII lesion). Furthermore, the expression was enhanced in advanced atherosclerotic lesions from patients with chronic failure compared to non-renal controls. The non calcified human arterial samples did not stain positively for Aggrecan. The coronary specimen studied did not expressed S100 protein, collagen type I or collagen type X, respectively. Conclusions: The data provide no evidence for a major role of cartilage-specific mineralization regulating proteins, i.e. enchondral ossification, in advanced atherosclerosis in renal failure. However, the study provides circumstantial evidence for a role of aggrecan, a major water binding protein, for media degeneration and subsequent calcification.
- Subjects
ATHEROSCLEROSIS; KIDNEY diseases; ATHEROSCLEROTIC plaque; HEMOLYTIC-uremic syndrome; OSSIFICATION
- Publication
Kidney & Blood Pressure Research, 2004, Vol 27, Issue 5/6, p317
- ISSN
1420-4096
- Publication type
Article