| 1. |
- Alehagen, Urban, et al.
(författare)
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Gender difference in adiponectin associated with cardiovascular mortality
- 2015
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Ingår i: BMC Medical Genetics. - : BioMed Central / Springer Verlag (Germany). - 1471-2350. ; 16:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: It is important to identify cardiovascular diseases in patients at high risk. To include genetics into routine cardiological patients has therefore been discussed recently. We wanted to evaluate the association between high-molecular weight adiponectin and cardiovascular risk, and secondly in the same population evaluate if specific genotype differences regarding risk could be observed, and thirdly if gender differences could be seen. Method: Four hundred seventy-six elderly participants recruited from a rural community were included. All participants underwent a clinical examination, echocardiography, and blood sampling and the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs266729) of adiponectin was analysed. Follow-up time was 6.7 years. Results: Those with high serum concentration of adiponectin had a more 2 fold increased cardiovascular risk, and it might be that females exhibits even higher risk where a more than 5 fold increased risk could be seen. The result could be demonstrated even in a multivariate model adjusting for well-known clinical risk factors. However, as the sample size was small the gender differences should be interpreted with caution. In the genotype evaluation the C/C carriers of the female group had a more than 9-fold increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, however the confidence interval was wide. Such genotype difference could not be found in the male group. Conclusion: High level of adiponectin was associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Also a gender difference in the genotype evaluation could be seen where the C/C carriers obtained higher risk in the female group but not in the male group. Thus, in order to identify patients at risk early, genetic analyses may add to the armamentarium used in the clinical routine. However, information should be regarded as hypothesis generating as the sample size was small and should stimulate further research in individualized cardiovascular prevention and treatment.
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| 2. |
- Bertorello, Alejandro M., et al.
(författare)
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Increased Arterial Blood Pressure and Vascular Remodeling in Mice Lacking Salt-Inducible Kinase 1 (SIK1)
- 2015
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Ingår i: Circulation Research. - : American Heart Association. - 0009-7330 .- 1524-4571. ; 116:4, s. 642-U190
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rationale: In human genetic studies a single nucleotide polymorphism within the salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) gene was associated with hypertension. Lower SIK1 activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) leads to decreased sodium-potassium ATPase activity, which associates with increased vascular tone. Also, SIK1 participates in a negative feedback mechanism on the transforming growth factor-beta 1 signaling and downregulation of SIK1 induces the expression of extracellular matrix remodeling genes. Objective: To evaluate whether reduced expression/activity of SIK1 alone or in combination with elevated salt intake could modify the structure and function of the vasculature, leading to higher blood pressure. Methods and Results: SIK1 knockout (sik1(-/-)) and wild-type (sik1(+/+)) mice were challenged to a normal-or chronic high-salt intake (1% NaCl). Under normal-salt conditions, the sik1(-/-) mice showed increased collagen deposition in the aorta but similar blood pressure compared with the sik1(+/+) mice. During high-salt intake, the sik1+/+ mice exhibited an increase in SIK1 expression in the VSMCs layer of the aorta, whereas the sik1(-/-) mice exhibited upregulated transforming growth factor-beta 1 signaling and increased expression of endothelin-1 and genes involved in VSMC contraction, higher systolic blood pressure, and signs of cardiac hypertrophy. In vitro knockdown of SIK1 induced upregulation of collagen in aortic adventitial fibroblasts and enhanced the expression of contractile markers and of endothelin-1 in VSMCs. Conclusions: Vascular SIK1 activation might represent a novel mechanism involved in the prevention of high blood pressure development triggered by high-salt intake through the modulation of the contractile phenotype of VSMCs via transforming growth factor-beta 1-signaling inhibition.
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| 3. |
- Di Gennaro, A., et al.
(författare)
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Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonism prevents experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm
- 2018
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 115:8, s. 1907-1912
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are 5-lipoxygenase-derived lipid mediators involved in the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory disorders, in particular asthma. We have previously found evidence linking these mediators to increased levels of proteolytic enzymes in tissue specimens of human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Here we show that antagonism of the CysLT1 receptor by montelukast, an established antiasthma drug, protects against a strong aorta dilatation (>50% increase = aneurysm) in a mouse model of CaCl2-induced AAA at a dose comparable to human medical practice. Analysis of tissue extracts revealed that montelukast reduces the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) in the aortic wall. Furthermore, aneurysm progression was specifically mediated through CysLT1 signaling since a selective CysLT2 antagonist was without effect. A significantly reduced vessel dilatation is also observed when treatment with montelukast is started days after aneurysm induction, suggesting that the drug not only prevents but also stops and possibly reverts an already ongoing degenerative process. Moreover, montelukast reduced the incidence of aortic rupture and attenuated the AAA development in two additional independent models, i.e., angiotensin II- and porcine pancreatic elastase-induced AAA, respectively. Our results indicate that cys-LTs are involved in the pathogenesis of AAA and that antagonism of the CysLT1 receptor is a promising strategy for preventive and therapeutic treatment of this clinically silent and highly lethal disease.
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| 4. |
- Folkesson, Maggie, et al.
(författare)
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Inflammatory cells, ceramides, and expression of proteases in perivascular adipose tissue adjacent to human abdominal aortic aneurysms
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Vascular Surgery. - : Elsevier. - 0741-5214 .- 1097-6809. ; 65:4, s. 1171-1179.e1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a deadly irreversible weakening and distension of the abdominal aortic wall. The pathogenesis of AAA remains poorly understood. Investigation into the physical and molecular characteristics of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) adjacent to AAA has not been done before and is the purpose of this study.METHODS AND RESULTS: Human aortae, periaortic PVAT, and fat surrounding peripheral arteries were collected from patients undergoing elective surgical repair of AAA. Control aortas were obtained from recently deceased healthy organ donors with no known arterial disease. Aorta and PVAT was found in AAA to larger extent compared with control aortas. Immunohistochemistry revealed neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, and T-cells surrounding necrotic adipocytes. Gene expression analysis showed that neutrophils, mast cells, and T-cells were found to be increased in PVAT compared with AAA as well as cathepsin K and S. The concentration of ceramides in PVAT was determined using mass spectrometry and correlated with content of T-cells in the PVAT.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a role for abnormal necrotic, inflamed, proteolytic adipose tissue to the adjacent aneurysmal aortic wall in ongoing vascular damage.
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| 5. |
- Gabrielson, Marike, et al.
(författare)
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Altered PPARγ coactivator-1 alpha expression in abdominal aortic aneurysm : Possible effects on mitochondrial biogenesis
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Vascular Research. - : S. Karger. - 1018-1172 .- 1423-0135. ; 53:1-2, s. 17-26
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex and deadly vascular disorder. The pathogenesis of AAA includes destruction and phenotypic alterations of the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and aortic tissues. PPARγ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC1α) regulates VSMC migration and matrix formation and is a major inducer of mitochondrial biogenesis and function, including oxidative metabolism. Methods: Protein and gene expression of PGC1α and markers for mitochondria biogenesis and cell type-specificity were analysed in AAA aortas from humans and mice and compared against control aortas. Results: Gene expression of PPARGC1A was decreased in human AAA and angiotensin (Ang) II-induced AAA in mice when compared to control vessels. However, high expression of PGC1α was detected in regions of neovascularisation in the adventitia layer. In contrast, the intima/media layer of AAA vessel exhibited defective mitochondrial biogenesis as indicated by low expression of PPARGC1A, VDAC, ATP synthase and citrate synthase. Conclusion: Our results suggest that mitochondrial biogenesis is impaired in AAA in synthetic SMCs in the media, with the exception of newly formed supporting vessels in the adventitia where the mitochondrial markers seem to be intact. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating PGC1α and mitochondria biogenesis in AAA.
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| 6. |
- Gacic, Jelena, et al.
(författare)
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Imatinib reduces cholesterol uptake and matrix metalloproteinase activity in human THP-1 macrophages
- 2016
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Ingår i: Pharmacological Reports. - : POLISH ACAD SCIENCES INST PHARMACOLOGY. - 1734-1140 .- 2299-5684. ; 68:1, s. 1-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Imatinib mesylate (Glivec, formerly STI-571) is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. However, there are reports suggesting that imatinib could be atheroprotective by lowering plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Aim: To investigate the potential inhibitory effect of imatinib on cholesterol uptake in human macrophages as well as its effect on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Methods and results: Uptake of fluorescence-labeled LDL was analyzed using flow cytometry. Macrophages treated with imatinib showed a 23.5%, 27%, and 15% decrease in uptake of native LDL (p < 0.05), acetylated LDL (p < 0.01), and copper-modified oxidized LDL (p < 0.01), respectively. Gel based zymography showed that secretion and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were inhibited by imatinib. Using GeneChip Whole Transcript Expression array analysis, no obvious gene candidates involved in the mechanisms of cholesterol metabolism or MMP regulation were found to be affected by imatinib. Instead, we found that imatinib up-regulated microRNA 155 (miR155) by 43.8% and down-regulated ADAM metallopeptidase domain 28 (ADAM28) by 41.4%. Both genes could potentially play an atheroprotective role and would be interesting targets in future studies. Conclusion: Our results indicate that imatinib causes post-translational inhibition with respect to cholesterol uptake and regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9. More research is needed to further evaluate the role of imatinib in the regulation of other genes and processes. (c) 2015 Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Rossignoli, Aranzazu, et al.
(författare)
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Plasma cholesterol lowering in an AngII-infused atherosclerotic mouse model with moderate hypercholesterolemia
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Medicine. - : Spandidos Publications. - 1107-3756 .- 1791-244X. ; 42:1, s. 471-478
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atherosclerosis is the main underlying causes of cardiovascular disease. There is a well‑established association between high blood cholesterol levels and the extent of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, atherosclerosis has been proposed to augment abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. As patients with AAA often have parallel atherosclerotic disease and are therefore often on cholesterol‑lowering therapy, it is not possible to fully address the independent effects of plasma cholesterol lowering (PCL) treatment on AAA. The present study investigated the effect of angiotensin II (AngII)‑infusion in modestly hypercholesterolemic Ldlr‑/‑Apob100/100Mttpflox/floxMx1‑Cre mice with or without PCL treatment on a morphological and molecular level, in terms of atherosclerosis and AAA development. AngII infusion in the study mice resulted in an increased atherosclerotic lesion area and increased infiltration of inflammatory leukocytes, which was not observed in mice with PCL induced prior to AngII infusion. This suggested that AngII infusion in this mouse model induced atherosclerosis development, and that plasma cholesterol levels represent a controlling factor. Furthermore, AngII infusion in Ldlr‑/‑Apob100/100Mttpflox/floxMx1‑Cre mice caused a modest aneurysmal phenotype, and no differences in AAA development were observed between the different study groups. However, the fact that modest hypercholesterolemic mice did not develop AAA in a classical aneurysmal model indicated that plasma cholesterol levels are important for disease development.
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| 8. |
- Slind Olsen, Renate, et al.
(författare)
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CD93 gene polymorphism is associated with disseminated colorectal cancer
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Colorectal Disease. - : Springer Verlag (Germany). - 0179-1958 .- 1432-1262. ; 30:7, s. 883-890
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cluster of differentiation 93 (CD93) is involved in apoptosis and inflammation and has a suggested role in angiogenesis, and all of which are involved in the development and dissemination of cancer. We evaluated the expression of CD93 and the association with two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs2749812 and rs2749817, as possible biomarkers in colorectal cancer (CRC). Tissue levels and plasma levels of CD93 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of CD93 was determined by immunohistochemistry, western blot and gene expression analysis. Genotype frequencies were established for the SNPs by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the association with tumour stage and survival was analysed. Total CD93 levels were 82 % higher (P less than 0.001) in tumours compared to matched normal tissues. Mean levels of soluble CD93 in plasma were 30 % lower (P less than 0.001) in the patients compared to the controls. The T/T genotype of SNP rs2749817 was more common in stage IV patients, with consequently higher risk of CRC death (T/T vs. C/C and C/T; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.73, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.11-2.67, P = 0.014), and was associated with a higher risk of CRC recurrence after radical operation (T/T vs. C/C and C/T; HR = 2.07, CI = 1.22-3.51, P = 0.007). We showed that the T/T genotype of SNP rs2749817 is associated with disseminated cancer at diagnosis and an increased recurrence rate after radical operation. Patients with this genotype may benefit from early identification.
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| 9. |
- Vorkapic, Emina, et al.
(författare)
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ADAMTS-1 in abdominal aortic aneurysm
- 2017
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 12:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Extracellular matrix degradation is a hallmark of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Among proteases that are capable of degrading extracellular matrix are a disintegrin and metalloproteases with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS). Pathogenesis of these proteases in AAA has not been investigated until date.METHODS AND RESULTS: Human aneurysmal and control aortas were collected and analyzed with RT-PCR measuring the ADAMTS-1, 4,5,6,8,9,10,13,17 and ADAMTSL-1. Expression of a majority of the investigated ADAMTS members on mRNA level was decreased in aneurysm compared to control aorta. ADAMTS-1 was one of the members that was reduced most. Protein analysis using immunohistochemistry and western blot for localization and expression of ADAMTS-1 revealed that ADAMTS-1 was present predominantly in areas of SMCs and macrophages in aneurysmal aorta and higher expressed in AAA compared to control aortas. The role of ADAMTS-1 in AAA disease was further examined using ADAMTS-1 transgenic/apoE-/- mice with the experimental angiotensin II induced aneurysmal model. Transgenic mice overexpressing ADAMTS-1 showed to be similar to ADAMTS-1 wild type mice pertaining collagen, elastin content and aortic diameter.CONCLUSION: Several of the ADAMTS members, and especially ADAMTS-1, are down regulated at mRNA level in AAA, due to unknown mechanisms, at the same time ADAMTS-1 protein is induced. The cleavage of its substrates, don't seem to be crucial for the pathogenesis of AAA but rather more important in the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis as shown in previous studies.
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| 10. |
- Vorkapic, Emina, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of osteoprotegerin/TNFRSF11B in two models of abdominal aortic aneurysms
- 2018
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Ingår i: Molecular Medicine Reports. - : SPANDIDOS PUBL LTD. - 1791-2997 .- 1791-3004. ; 18:1, s. 41-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Osteoprotegerin (OPG), additionally termed tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11B, is produced by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells in the vasculature, and its release may be modulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, including nterleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The present study investigated the effects of treatment with low-dose human recombinant OPG on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development in mice. Mice were treated with 1 mu g human recombinant OPG four times (or vehicle) for 2 weeks prior to inducing AAA. A total of two different models for inducing AAA were used to investigate the hypothesis as to whether OPG is involved in key events of AAA development, using osmotic mini-pumps with angiotensin II in apolipoprotein-E (ApoE(-/-)) mice for 28 days or using periaortic application of CaCl2 on the aorta in C57131/6J mice for 14 days. OPG was continuously administered during the experimental period. Histological staining using Massons trichrome, Verhoeffs van-Gieson and picro-sirius red, in addition to reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of various markers, were used to analyze phenotypic alterations. Treatment with OPG had no inhibitory effect on AAA development in the angiotensin II model in ApoE(-/-) mice, which developed suprarenal aneurysms, although it increased vessel wall thickness of the aorta and total collagen in C57B116J mice using the CaCl2 model that induced infrarenal dilation of the aorta. Treatment with OPG did not inhibit aneurysm development and key events, induding inflammation, extracellular matrix or VSMC remodeling, in aortas from OPG-treated mice with periaortic treatment with CaCl2. The results indicated that mice treated with low levels of human recombinant OPG may have a more stable aneurysmal phenotype due to compensatory production of collagen and increased vessel wall thickness of the aorta, potentially protecting the aneurysm from rupture. Further studies investigating rupture models of AAA in addition to using higher levels of OPG are require to verify this speculation. Furthermore, treatment with low levels of OPG in patients with AAA may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AAA as well as attenuate the adverse effects associated with the administration of normal and high dosages of OPG.
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