Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Dec 2005
Genetic variations in the tissue factor gene are associated with clinical outcome in acute coronary syndrome and expression levels in human monocytes.
Tissue factor (TF) has, among other factors, a prominent role in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our goal was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the TF gene (F3) are associated with plasma TF, risk, and outcome in patients with ACS. Moreover, we wanted to investigate the impact of associated TF SNPs on mRNA production in human monocytes. ⋯ The 5466 AG genotype is a novel predictor of cardiovascular death in ACS and may act through a high TF response.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Dec 2005
Vascular neuronal NO synthase is selectively upregulated by platelet-derived growth factor: involvement of the MEK/ERK pathway.
We demonstrated recently that neuronal NO synthase (NOS) is expressed in arteriosclerotic lesions and exerts important vasculoprotective effects in vivo. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism(s) for vascular neuronal NOS (nNOS) expression. ⋯ These results provide the first evidence that vascular nNOS expression is upregulated selectively in response to PDGF through the MEK/ERK pathway. Upregulated nNOS may play an important compensatory role under arteriosclerotic/inflammatory conditions associated with eNOS dysfunction to maintain vascular homeostasis.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Oct 2005
ReviewAtherosclerotic plaque progression and vulnerability to rupture: angiogenesis as a source of intraplaque hemorrhage.
Observational studies of necrotic core progression identify intraplaque hemorrhage as a critical factor in atherosclerotic plaque growth and destabilization. The rapid accumulation of erythrocyte membranes causes an abrupt change in plaque substrate characterized by increased free cholesterol within the lipid core and excessive macrophage infiltration. Neoangiogenesis is associated closely with plaque progression, and microvascular incompetence is a likely source of intraplaque hemorrhage. ⋯ This network of immature blood vessels is a viable source of intraplaque hemorrhage providing erythrocyte-derived phospholipids and free cholesterol. The rapid change in plaque substrate caused by the excessive accumulation of erythrocytes may promote the transition from a stable to an unstable lesion. This review discusses the potential role of intraplaque vasa vasorum in lesion instability as it relates to plaque rupture.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Feb 2005
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialGranulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilizes functional endothelial progenitor cells in patients with coronary artery disease.
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that may repair vascular injury are reduced in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We reasoned that EPC number and function may be increased by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) used to mobilize hematopoietic progenitor cells in healthy donors. ⋯ Despite reduced EPCs compared with healthy controls, patients with CAD respond to G-CSF with increases in EPC number and homing receptor expression in the circulation and endothelial out-growth in culture. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are reduced in coronary artery disease. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (CSF) administered to patients increased: (1) CD133+/VEGFR-2+ cells consistent with EPC phenotype; (2) CD133+ cells coexpressing the chemokine receptor CXCR4, important for homing of EPCs to ischemic tissue; and (3) endothelial cell-forming clusters in culture. Whether EPCs mobilized into the circulation will be useful for the purpose of initiating vascular growth and myocyte repair in coronary artery disease patients must be tested in clinical trials.