S-EPMC3131541 - Plaque rupture is a determinant of vascular events in carotid artery atherosclerotic disease: involvement of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9. - OmicsDI

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Dataset Information

Plaque rupture is a determinant of vascular events in carotid artery atherosclerotic disease: involvement of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by cap rupture, leading to thromboembolism and stroke. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the progression of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and carotid plaque instability.

Methods

Eighty atherosclerotic plaques were collected from 74 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Clinical information was obtained from each patient, and plaque morphology was examined at the macroscopic and microscopic levels. The immunohistochemical expressions of MMPs were graded using semiquantitative scales.

Results

Macroscopic ulceration (84.6% versus 63.4%, p=0.042) and microscopic cap rupture (79.5% versus 51.2%, p=0.010) were more common in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients. Immunoreactivities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased in 40 and 36 atheromatous plaques, respectively. Macroscopic ulceration was strongly correlated with the expressions of MMP-2 (p<0.001) and MMP-9 (p=0.001). There were significant correlations between increased MMP-2 expression and cap rupture (p=0.002), intraplaque hemorrhage (p=0.039), and a thin fibrous cap (p=0.002), and between increased MMP-9 expression and cap rupture (p=0.010) and a large lipid core (p=0.013).

Conclusions

Plaque rupture was significantly associated with the development of vascular events in carotid atherosclerotic disease. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are strongly correlated with plaque instability.

SUBMITTER: Heo SH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3131541 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Plaque rupture is a determinant of vascular events in carotid artery atherosclerotic disease: involvement of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9.

Heo Sung Hyuk SH Cho Chang-Hoon CH Kim Hye Ok HO Jo Yong Hwa YH Yoon Kyung-Sik KS Lee Ju Hie JH Park Ju-Cheol JC Park Key Chung KC Ahn Tae-Beom TB Chung Kyung Cheon KC Yoon Sung-Sang SS Chang Dae-Il DI

Journal of clinical neurology (Seoul, Korea) 20110628 2

<h4>Background and purpose</h4>Unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by cap rupture, leading to thromboembolism and stroke. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the progression of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and carotid plaque instability.<h4>Methods</h4>Eighty atherosclerotic plaques were collected from 74 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Cl ...[more]

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