1. [Morphogenesis of thoracic aorta aneurysms: investigation of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors].
- Author
-
Lesauskaite V and Tanganelli P
- Subjects
- Age Factors, Aged, Aorta, Thoracic metabolism, Aorta, Thoracic pathology, Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic pathology, Aortic Valve Stenosis etiology, Aortic Valve Stenosis pathology, Calcinosis metabolism, Calcinosis pathology, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Dilatation, Pathologic, Female, Histocytochemistry, Histological Techniques, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Morphogenesis, Sex Factors, Tunica Media enzymology, Tunica Media metabolism, Tunica Media pathology, Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic enzymology, Aortic Valve Stenosis metabolism, Matrix Metalloproteinases metabolism, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases metabolism
- Abstract
The matrix metalloproteinases are a large group of proteases with a central role of the degradation of all types of extracellular matrix. The present study investigated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -2, -9) and their inhibitors (TIMP-1, -2) in chronic Aneurysm of the Thoracic Aorta (ATA) and Post-Stenotic Dilatation of the ascending aorta due to valvular aortic stenosis (PSD). Fragments of the ascending aorta that had been taken from the patients during coronary by-pass surgery were used as controls. Immunohistochemical investigation showed that medical SMC in the samples taken from aortas with ATA and PDS expressed a stronger immunoreactivity for MMP-1, -2, -9 and TIMP-1, -2 as compared to controls. It can be suggested that during formation of ATA and PSD, production of MMPs and TIMPS by medial smooth muscle cells is of great importance.
- Published
- 2002