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- Jatta, Ken, et al.
(författare)
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Overexpression of von Hippel-Lindau protein in skeletal muscles of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Pathology. - London : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0021-9746 .- 1472-4146. ; 62:1, s. 70-76
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background/aim: A Significant number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit skeletal muscle wasting and decreased capillary area formation which have been correlated to increased mortality. The current study aimed to determine the molecular mechanisms mediating decreased capillary formation in COPD.Methods: Twenty-four COPD patients and twelve matching controls were recruited. COPD patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe groups according to GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from the tibialis anterior muscle. Fibre typing and capillary formation together with messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1á and HIF-3á ), vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-A, -B and -C isoforms) and von Hippel Lindau (VHL) were determined. VHL expression and localization was further studied by immunohistochemistry.Results: Skeletal muscle capillary formation was significantly decreased with ascending disease severity. Compared to controls, a tendency to mRNA overexpression of HIF-1á, HIF-3á and VEGF isoforms was observed at mild and moderate COPD that decreased at the severe stage. By contrast, skeletal muscle biopsies from COPD patients exhibited significant overexpression of VHL both on the mRNA and protein levels by immunohistochemistry. VHL protein was further determined to be localized to satellite cells.Conclusions: Overexpression of VHL was identified in the skeletal muscle of patients with COPD. Increased VHL activity may exert a negative impact on transducing the hypoxic signal and may contribute to decreased capillarization in skeletal muscles of patients with COPD.
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| 2. |
- Olofsson, P. S., et al.
(författare)
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A functional interleukin-1 receptor antagonist polymorphism influences atherosclerosis development - The interleukin-1β : Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist balance in atherosclerosis
- 2009
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Ingår i: Circulation Journal. - : Japanese Circulation Society,Nihon Junkanki Gakkai. - 1346-9843 .- 1347-4820. ; 73:8, s. 1531-1536
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Interleukin (JL)-β plays a central role in inflammation and atherosclerosis, but levels of IL-1β, its natural antagonist, IL-1Ra, and their balance in human atherosclerotic lesions, are unknown. Knowledge of protein levels in atherosclerosis and the influence of a functional IL-1Rα polymorphism would increase the understanding of atherosclerosis pathogenesis.Methods and Results: Fresh and endotoxin-stimulated explanted human atherosclerotic and normal arteries were analyzed for IL-1β, IL-1Ra and IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1) using TaqMan PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Two hundred forty-three survivors of a first myocardial infarction were genotyped for a polymorphism in IL-1Ra and their coronary atherosclerosis analyzed by using coronary angiography. Levels of IL-1β, IL-1Ra and IL-1R1 mRNA were significantly increased in atherosclerotic arteries compared with normal arteries. Endotoxin stimulation increased IL-1β levels more than IL-1Ra levels (ie, promoted a pro-inflammatory state). A polymorphism in IL-1Ra known to increase levels of IL-1Ra was associated with decreased mean coronary artery plaque area.Conclusions: Activation of innate immunity changed the balance between IL-1β and IL-1Ra in atherosclerotic arteries towards a more pro-inflammatory state. In line with this, the presence of an IL-1Ra intron 2 polymorphism known to increase IL-1Ra levels, and possibly the IL-1Ra:IL-1β ratio, was associated with reduced coronary atherosclerosis.
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