| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Bengtsson, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Lack of the Cysteine-Protease Inhibitor Cystatin C Promotes Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. - 1524-4636. ; 25:10, s. 2151-2156
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective - Degradation of extracellular matrix plays an important role in growth and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. Cystatin C, inhibitor of the collagen- and elastin-degrading cysteine proteases of the cathepsin family, is produced by virtually all cell types. It is present in the normal artery wall but severely reduced in human atherosclerotic lesions. Methods and Results - To determine the functional role of cystatin C in atherosclerosis, we crossed cystatin C - deficient ( cysC(-/-)) mice with apolipoprotein E - deficient ( apoE(-/-)) mice. After 25 weeks of atherogenic diet, mice lacking apoE and cystatin C (cysC(-/-) apoE(-/-)) had larger subvalvular plaques compared with cysC(+/+) apoE(-/-) mice (766 000 +/- 20 000 mu m(2) per section versus 662 000 +/- 19 000 mu m(2) per section; P = 0.001), suggesting an atheroprotective role of cystatin C. The plaques from cysC(-/-) apoE(-/-) mice were characterized by increased total macrophage content. To determine which cellular source is important for the antiatherosclerotic effect of cystatin C, we performed bone marrow transplantations. ApoE(-/-) mice were transplanted with either cysC(-/-) apoE(+/+) or cysC(+/+) apoE(-/-) bone marrow. No significant differences in plaque area, macrophage, collagen, or lipid content of subvalvular lesions between the 2 groups were detected. Conclusions - The result suggests that the protective role of cystatin C in atherosclerosis is dependent primarily on its expression in nonhematopoietic cell types.
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| 3. |
- Dunér, Pontus, et al.
(författare)
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Immune responses against aldehyde-modified laminin accelerate atherosclerosis in Apoe(-/-) mice.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1484 .- 0021-9150. ; 212:2, s. 457-465
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: LDL oxidation in the vascular wall is associated with aldehyde modification of surrounding extracellular matrix proteins that may target autoimmune responses against vascular tissues. Here we investigated the possible influence of immunity against a malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified form of the basement membrane protein laminin on atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: IgM and IgG autoantibodies were present in human plasma and a prospective clinical study demonstrated that individuals who later suffered from acute cardiovascular events had lower levels of MDA-laminin antibodies compared to those in the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis of atherosclerotic plaques from Apoe(-/-) mice demonstrated co-localization between laminin and MDA epitopes, however MDA-laminin IgG was absent in mouse plasma. To determine the effect of MDA-laminin immunity, Apoe(-/-) mice were immunized with MDA-laminin. Analysis of circulating leukocytes at 12 weeks demonstrated increased T-cell activation, expansion of Th17 cells and a lower fraction of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mice immunized with MDA-laminin. At 25 weeks, aortic atherosclerosis was increased by more than 60% in mice immunized with MDA-laminin, together with increased levels of MDA-laminin IgG1 and MDA-laminin-specific T-cells expressing IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 in the spleen. CONCLUSION: The clinical observations suggest that immune responses against MDA-laminin may be involved in the development of cardiovascular disease in humans. Furthermore, observations in mice provide evidence for the presence of aldehyde-modified laminin in atherosclerotic lesions and demonstrate that induction of an immune response against these structures is associated with activation of Th17 cells, reduced fraction of Tregs and a more aggressive development of atherosclerosis.
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| 4. |
- Dunér, Pontus, et al.
(författare)
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Immune responses against fibronectin modified by lipoprotein oxidation and their association with cardiovascular disease.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 1365-2796 .- 0954-6820. ; Feb 14., s. 593-603
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract. Dunér P, To F, Alm R, Gonçalves I, Fredrikson GN, Hedblad B, Berglund G, Nilsson J, Bengtsson E (Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden). Immune responses against fibronectin modified by lipoprotein oxidation and their association with cardiovascular disease. J Intern Med 2009; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2008.02067.xObjectives. Accumulation and subsequent oxidation of LDL in the arterial wall are considered as key events in the development of atherosclerosis. We have investigated the possibility that LDL oxidation results in release of aldehydes that modify surrounding matrix proteins and that this may target immune responses against the plaque extracellular matrix and modulate the disease progression. Results. Using custom-made ELISAs we demonstrate that human plasma contains autoantibodies against aldehyde-modified fibronectin (FN) and to a lesser extent also other extracellular matrix proteins including collagen type I, type III, and tenascin-C. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed that aldehyde-modified FN is present in human atherosclerotic plaques and that aldehydes generated by oxidation of LDL formed adducts with FN in vitro. We also demonstrate that aldehyde-modification of FN results in a loss of its ability to promote basal secretion of cytokines and growth factors from cultured macrophages without affecting the ability of the cells to respond to stimulation with LPS. A prospective clinical study demonstrated that subjects that subsequently developed acute myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death had lower baseline levels of autoantibodies against aldehyde-modified FN than matched controls. Conclusions. These observations demonstrate that oxidation of LDL in the arterial wall may lead to aldehyde-modification of surrounding extracellular matrix proteins and that these modifications may affect macrophage function and activate autoimmune responses of pathophysiological importance for the development of atherosclerosis.
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| 5. |
- Dunér, Pontus, et al.
(författare)
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Immunization of apoE-/- mice with aldehyde-modified fibronectin inhibits the development of atherosclerosis.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1755-3245 .- 0008-6363. ; 91, s. 528-536
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. Oxidation of LDL in the extracellular matrix of the arterial wall results in formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) that modifies surrounding matrix proteins. This is associated with activation of an immune response against modified extracellular matrix proteins present in atherosclerotic plaques. Clinical studies have revealed an inverse association between antibodies to MDA-modified fibronectin and risk for development of cardiovascular events. To determine the functional role of these immune responses in atherosclerosis we performed studies in which apoE-deficient mice were immunized with MDA-modified fibronectin. Methods and Results. Immunization of apoE-deficient mice with MDA-modified fibronectin resulted in a 70% decrease in plaque area and a less inflammatory phenotype of remaining plaques. Immunization shifted a weak naturally occurring Th1 antibody response against MDA-fibronectin into a Th2 antibody response. Cytokine expression and flow cytometry analyses of spleen cells from immunized mice showed an activation of regulatory T cells. Immunization with MDA-fibronectin was also found to reduce plasma fibronectin levels. Conclusions. Immunization with MDA-fibronectin significantly reduces the development of atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice suggesting that the immune response observed in humans may have a protective effect. MDA-fibronectin represents a possible novel target for immunomodulatory therapy in atherosclerosis.
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| 6. |
- Dunér, Pontus, et al.
(författare)
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Increased aldehyde-modification of collagen type IV in symptomatic plaques - A possible cause of endothelial dysfunction.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1484 .- 0021-9150. ; 240:1, s. 26-32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Subendothelial LDL-adhesion and its subsequent oxidation are considered as key events in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. During oxidation of LDL, reactive aldehydes such as malondialdehyde (MDA) are formed, which modify apolipoprotein B100. However, the possibility that these reactive aldehydes could leak out of the LDL-particle and modify surrounding extracellular matrix proteins has been largely unexplored. We have investigated if aldehyde-modification of collagen type IV, one of the major basement membrane components, in plaques is associated with cardiovascular events.
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| 7. |
- Engelbertsen, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Increased Inflammation in Atherosclerotic Lesions of Diabetic Akita-LDLr(-/-) Mice Compared to Nondiabetic LDLr(-/-) Mice.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Experimental Diabetes Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1687-5214 .- 1687-5303. ; 2012:Nov.,28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Diabetes is associated with increased cardiovascular disease, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. One proposed mechanism is that diabetes aggravates atherosclerosis by enhancing plaque inflammation. The Akita mouse has recently been adopted as a relevant model for microvascular complications of diabetes. Here we investigate the development of atherosclerosis and inflammation in vessels of Akita mice on LDLr(-/-) background. Methods and Results. Akita-LDLr(-/-) and LDLr(-/-) mice were fed high-fat diet from 6 to 24 weeks of age. Blood glucose levels were higher in both male and female Akita-LDLr(-/-) mice (137% and 70%, resp.). Male Akita-LDLr(-/-) mice had markedly increased plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a three-fold increase in atherosclerosis, and enhanced accumulation of macrophages and T-cells in plaques. In contrast, female Akita-LDLr(-/-) mice demonstrated a modest 29% increase in plasma cholesterol and no significant increase in triglycerides, atherosclerosis, or inflammatory cells in lesions. Male Akita-LDLr(-/-) mice had increased levels of plasma IL-1β compared to nondiabetic mice, whereas no such difference was seen between female diabetic and nondiabetic mice. Conclusion. Akita-LDLr(-/-) mice display considerable gender differences in the development of diabetic atherosclerosis. In addition, the increased atherosclerosis in male Akita-LDLr(-/-) mice is associated with an increase in inflammatory cells in lesions.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Goncalves, Isabel, et al.
(författare)
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Elastin- and Collagen-Rich Human Carotid Plaques Have Increased Levels of the Cysteine Protease Inhibitor Cystatin C.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Vascular Research. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0135 .- 1018-1172. ; 45:5, s. 395-401
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 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.
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| 10. |
- Mantani, Polyxeni, et al.
(författare)
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IL-25 Inhibits Atherosclerosis Development in Apolipoprotein E Deficient Mice
- 2015
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective IL-25 has been implicated in the initiation of type 2 immunity and in the protection against autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have identified the novel innate lymphoid type 2 cells (ILC2s) as an IL-25 target cell population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if IL-25 has any influence on atherosclerosis development in mice. Methods and Results Administration of 1 mu g IL-25 per day for one week to atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein (apo) E deficient mice, had limited effect on the frequency of T cell populations, but resulted in a large expansion of ILC2s in the spleen. The expansion was accompanied by increased levels of anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) natural IgM antibodies in plasma and elevated levels of IL-5 in plasma and spleen. Transfer of ILC2s to apoE deficient mice elevated the natural antibody-producing B1a cell population in the spleen. Treatment of apoE/Rag-1 deficient mice with IL-25 was also associated with extensive expansion of splenic ILC2s and increased plasma IL-5, suggesting ILC2s to be the source of IL-5. Administration of IL-25 in IL-5 deficient mice resulted in an expanded ILC2 population, but did not stimulate generation of anti-PC IgM, indicating that IL-5 is not required for ILC2 expansion but for the downstream production of natural antibodies. Additionally, administration of 1 mu g IL-25 per day for 4 weeks in apoE deficient mice reduced atherosclerosis in the aorta both during initiation and progression of the disease. Conclusions The present findings demonstrate that IL-25 has a protective role in atherosclerosis mediated by innate responses, including ILC2 expansion, increased IL-5 secretion, B1a expansion and natural anti-PC IgM generation, rather than adaptive Th2 responses.
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| 11. |
- Mantani, Polyxeni T., et al.
(författare)
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Interleukin-25 (IL-25) has a protective role in atherosclerosis development in the aortic arch in mice
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258. ; 293:18, s. 6791-6801
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the entrapment of apolipoprotein B– containing lipoproteins in the arterial intima, leading to local inflammation. T helper (Th) cell 1–mediated immune responses have been associated with atherosclerosis, and the cytokine interleukin-25 (IL-25 or IL-17E) has been reported to potentially regulate Th1 cell– and Th17 cell–related immune responses. In this study, we evaluated the effects of complete IL-25 deficiency or of a temporal IL-25 blockade on atherosclerosis development in apolipoprotein E– deficient (Apoe/) mice. Mice deficient in both apolipoprotein E and IL-25 (Apoe//IL-25/) had more Th1 cells in the spleen, along with elevated plasma levels of IL-17 and an increased release of splenic interferon- (INF-). In support of this observation, a 4-week-long treatment of young Apoe/ mice (at 10 –14 weeks of age) with an IL-25– blocking antibody increased the release of Th1/Th17-associated cytokines in the spleen. In both mouse models, these findings were associated with increased atherosclerotic plaque formation in the aortic arch. We conclude that complete IL-25 deficiency and a temporal IL-25 blockade during early plaque development aggravate atherosclerosis development in the aortic arch of Apoe/ mice, accompanied by an increase in Th1/Th17-mediated immune responses. Our finding that endogenous IL-25 has an atheroprotective role in the murine aortic arch has potential implications for atherosclerosis development and management in humans.
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| 12. |
- Mulholland, Megan, et al.
(författare)
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Interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein blockade limits the development of atherosclerosis and reduces plaque inflammation
- 2024
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular Research. - : Oxford University Press. - 0008-6363 .- 1755-3245. ; 120:6, s. 581-595
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: The interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) is a co-receptor required for signalling through the IL-1, IL-33, and IL-36 receptors. Using a novel anti-IL1RAP-blocking antibody, we investigated the role of IL1RAP in atherosclerosis.Methods and results: Single-cell RNA sequencing data from human atherosclerotic plaques revealed the expression of IL1RAP and several IL1RAP-related cytokines and receptors, including IL1B and IL33. Histological analysis showed the presence of IL1RAP in both the plaque and adventitia, and flow cytometry of murine atherosclerotic aortas revealed IL1RAP expression on plaque leucocytes, including neutrophils and macrophages. High-cholesterol diet fed apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe-/-) mice were treated with a novel non-depleting IL1RAP-blocking antibody or isotype control for the last 6 weeks of diet. IL1RAP blockade in mice resulted in a 20% reduction in subvalvular plaque size and limited the accumulation of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages in plaques and of T cells in adventitia, compared with control mice. Indicative of reduced plaque inflammation, the expression of several genes related to leucocyte recruitment, including Cxcl1 and Cxcl2, was reduced in brachiocephalic arteries of anti-IL1RAP-treated mice, and the expression of these chemokines in human plaques was mainly restricted to CD68+ myeloid cells. Furthermore, in vitro studies demonstrated that IL-1, IL-33, and IL-36 induced CXCL1 release from both macrophages and fibroblasts, which could be mitigated by IL1RAP blockade.Conclusion: Limiting IL1RAP-dependent cytokine signalling pathways in atherosclerotic mice reduces plaque burden and plaque inflammation, potentially by limiting plaque chemokine production.
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| 13. |
- Singh, Pratibha, et al.
(författare)
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Reduced oxidized LDL in T2D plaques is associated with a greater statin usage but not with future cardiovascular events
- 2020
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular Diabetology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2840. ; 19:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients are at a greater risk of cardiovascular events due to aggravated atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) has been shown to be increased in T2D plaques and suggested to contribute to plaque ruptures. Despite intensified statin treatment during the last decade the higher risk for events remains. Here, we explored if intensified statin treatment was associated with reduced oxLDL in T2D plaques and if oxLDL predicts cardiovascular events, to elucidate whether further plaque oxLDL reduction would be a promising therapeutic target. METHODS: Carotid plaque OxLDL levels and plasma lipoproteins were assessed in 200 patients. Plaque oxLDL was located by immunohistochemistry. Plaque cytokines, cells and scavenger receptor gene expression were quantified by Luminex, immunohistochemistry and RNA sequencing, respectively. Clinical information and events during follow-up were obtained from national registers. RESULTS: Plaque oxLDL levels correlated with markers of inflammatory activity, endothelial activation and plasma LDL cholesterol (r = 0.22-0.32 and p ≤ 0.01 for all). T2D individuals exhibited lower plaque levels of oxLDL, sLOX-1(a marker of endothelial activation) and plasma LDL cholesterol (p = 0.001, p = 0.006 and p = 0.009). No increased gene expression of scavenger receptors was identified in T2D plaques. The lower oxLDL content in T2D plaques was associated with a greater statin usage (p = 0.026). Supporting this, a linear regression model showed that statin treatment was the factor with the strongest association to plaque oxLDL and plasma LDL cholesterol (p < 0.001 for both). However, patients with T2D more frequently suffered from symptoms and yet plaque levels of oxLDL did not predict cardiovascular events in T2D (findings are summarized in Fig. 1a). CONCLUSIONS: This study points out the importance of statin treatment in affecting plaque biology in T2D. It also implies that other biological components, beyond oxLDL, need to be identified and targeted to further reduce the risk of events among T2D patients receiving statin treatment.
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| 14. |
- Zetterqvist, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Inhibition of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) suppresses accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetic mice.
- 2013
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Diabetic patients have a much more widespread and aggressive form of atherosclerosis and therefore, higher risk for myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease and stroke, but the molecular mechanisms leading to accelerated damage are still unclear. Recently, we showed that hyperglycemia activates the transcription factor NFAT in the arterial wall, inducing the expression of the pro-atherosclerotic protein osteopontin. Here we investigate whether NFAT activation may be a link between diabetes and atherogenesis.
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| 15. |
- Glasbey, JC, et al.
(författare)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 16. |
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