Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Upregulation of angiotensin II receptor, may be involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. To examine the contribution of AT1 receptor in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2) in lipid-deposited arterial tissues, New Zealand white rabbits were given high-cholesterol chow (with losartan 25 mg/d or vehicle) for 10 weeks. Losartan reduced the areas of sudanophilia in the aorta of rabbits fed high-cholesterol diet (p < 0.01 vs. control). Losartan also significantly decreased the enhanced mRNA expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-2 in aortas of rabbits with high-cholesterol diet. Losartan-treated rabbits revealed a reduction in immunohistochemical expression of MMP-1, whereas TIMP-2 expression became localized to the intima. In addition, losartan treatment reduced the activation of NF-kappa B by inhibiting the degradation of its inhibitor I kappa-B alpha. These observations demonstrate that AT1 receptor blockade with losartan reduces lipid deposition and exerts potent inhibitory effects on NF-kappa B activation and modulates the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-2 in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
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PMID:Modulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1, its tissue inhibitor, and nuclear factor-kappa B by losartan in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. 1186 11

Recent studies have revealed that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in cardiovascular remodeling by degrading the extracellular matrix. We investigated changes in the expression of MMPs due to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We studied 47 patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent elective PTCA on isolated stenotic lesion of left coronary arteries. Twelve patients received conventional balloon angioplasty, 14 percutaneous transluminal rotational atherectomy and 21 stent implantation. Blood samples were drawn from the coronary sinus immediately before and after, as well as 4 and 24 h, after PTCA. Plasma levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma MMP-2 activity was determined with the digestion of a specific chromogenic peptide substrate. We could observe serial changes in plasma MMP-1 levels in the coronary circulation only in one patient, because MMP-1 levels were lower than the limit of detection in other patients. On the other hand, plasma MMP-2 levels in the coronary sinus were detectable in all subjects and increased significantly 4 and 24 h after PTCA. Plasma TIMP-1 levels also showed significant increases 4 and 24 h after PTCA, whereas TIMP-2 did not show significant changes. Plasma MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio and MMP-2 activity in the coronary sinus showed significant increases 4 and 24 h after PTCA. A positive correlation was observed between MMP-2 levels in the coronary sinus 4 h after PTCA and late loss index 6 months after PTCA. MMP-2 levels in the coronary sinus blood were significantly higher in patients with late restenosis than in those without restenosis. PTCA induces increases in plasma MMP-2 levels and activity in the coronary circulation, which may contribute to vascular remodeling and late restenosis after PTCA.
Atherosclerosis 2002 Mar
PMID:Matrix metalloproteinase expression in the coronary circulation induced by coronary angioplasty. 1188 31

The proteolytic activity of proinflammatory matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is elevated in lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques, thereby contributing to plaque fragility and rupture. We hypothesized that changes in circulating levels of MMPs and their specific inhibitors (TIMPs) could reflect the atherosclerotic process occurring within the arterial wall. We determined serum levels of MMP-3, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in dyslipidemic subjects and compared them to those of age- and sex-matched normolipidemic healthy controls. Serum levels of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly increased in hyperlipidemic subjects versus controls (+54, +29 and +15%, respectively; P<0.001). We also noted a trend to elevated serum MMP-3 levels in patients with atherosclerotic lesions when compared to patients free of atherosclerosis (P=0.07). Circulating levels of MMPs and TIMPs were associated neither with those of C-reactive protein, nor with those of alpha2-macroglobulin (a nonspecific MMP inhibitor), nor with intima-media thickness values. Nonetheless, when divided into tertiles, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 levels in the highest tertile were positively associated with the presence of carotid artery lesions (odds ratios=3.4 and 2.0, confidence intervals 1.7-13.9 and 1.3-7.9, respectively). Thus, serum levels of MMP-3, -9 and TIMP-1 are significantly elevated in asymptomatic hyperlipidemic subjects at high cardiovascular risk; however, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 levels are strongly positively associated with the presence of carotid lesions. Such elevations might reflect enhanced vascular matrix remodeling, a key feature of the progression of atherosclerotic disease.
Atherosclerosis 2003 Jul
PMID:Serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 as potential markers of carotid atherosclerosis in infraclinical hyperlipidemia. 1286 Feb 60

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the disruption of atherosclerotic plaques that leads to acute coronary events. The present study investigates the effect of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), new antidiabetic drugs, on MMP-1 expression by human vascular endothelial cells. Results show that troglitazone, but not pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, stimulated MMP-1 secretion and mRNA expression in both human umbilical vein and aortic endothelial cells, but had no effect on TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 secretion. Interestingly, troglitazone at high concentrations (> or = 30 micromol/l) inhibited MMP-1 protein synthesis despite a marked stimulation on MMP-1 mRNA. Further studies revealed that troglitazone at higher concentrations inhibits de novo protein synthesis as determined by 35S-methionine/cysteine incorporation, suggesting that the inhibition of MMP-1 synthesis by troglitazone is due to the suppression of total protein synthesis. Finally, our studies showed that high concentrations of troglitazone inhibited the translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), but not eIF4G. In summary, the present study demonstrates that insulin sensitizers have different effects on MMP-1 expression, and troglitazone stimulates MMP-1 mRNA expression and protein synthesis at the pharmacological concentrations, but inhibits MMP-1 synthesis at higher doses. This study also suggests that supra-pharmacological concentrations of troglitazone that could be attained in body tissues may inhibit protein synthesis and cause cytotoxicity.
Atherosclerosis 2003 Aug
PMID:Regulation of MMP-1 expression in vascular endothelial cells by insulin sensitizing thiazolidinediones. 1292 74

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), together with extrinsic coagulation pathway activation and increased oxidative stress (SOX) have all been implicated as important factors in atherosclerosis and vascular remodelling. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the MMPs/TIMPs system is associated with activation of the extrinsic coagulation pathway in conditions of increased SOX in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In HD patients, with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD), and in controls, we compared pre-dialysis levels of MMP-2, MMP-9,TIMP-1,TIMP-2; the markers of extrinsic coagulation pathway-tissue factor (TF) and its inhibitor (TFPI), prothrombin fragment F1+2 (F1+2); a marker of SOX-Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and a surrogate of atherosclerotic disease-intima media thickness (IMT). Hemodialysis patients, particularly those with CVD, showed a significant increase in values of MMP-2/TIMPs, markers of the extrinsic coagulation pathway, Cu/Zn SOD and IMT as compared to controls. The markers of coagulation activation positively correlated with the MMP-2/TIMPs system, whereas they did not correlate with MMP-9. In addition, both MMP-2/TIMPs as well as extrinsic coagulation parameters were related to the prevalence of increased SOX, IMT and CVD. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that low TIMP-2 followed by increased Cu/Zn SOD and MMP-2 levels independently and significantly predicted elevated IMT on maintenance HD patients. In conclusion, our data suggest that the MMP-2/TIMPs system and an activated extrinsic coagulation pathway could cooperate in conditions of elevated SOX and could influence arterial remodeling resulting in the presence of CVD in haemodialysis patients.
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PMID:Extrinsic coagulation pathway activation and metalloproteinase-2/TIMPs system are related to oxidative stress and atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients. 1535 63

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)/their inhibitors (TIMPs) system and elevated oxidative stress (SOX) have been implicated as important factors in atherosclerosis and vascular remodeling. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether MMPs/TIMPs system is associated with SOX in hemodialyzed (HD) patients. We compared the serum levels of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, markers of SOX, inflammation and atherosclerosis between HD patients (n=40) with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD) and controls (n=20). Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) were elevated (all p<0.001), whereas total lipid peroxide levels were similar in HD patients and controls. The autoantibodies against oxidized LDL (OxLDL-Ab) levels were increased only in patients with CVD (p<0.05). Intima media thickness (IMT) in both CVD and in patients without CVD significantly exceeded those in the control (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). Serum pre-HD values of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were significantly increased in HD patients, especially in the CVD group (all p<0.001), and they were associated with those of Cu/Zn SOD, IMT and CVD prevalence. Multiple regression analysis showed that MMP-2, Cu/Zn SOD levels and age independently and significantly predicted elevated IMT in HD patients. Our results suggest the association between SOX and the MMPs/TIMPs system in HD patients, which could represent one of the mechanisms involved in the progression of atherosclerosis in this population.
Atherosclerosis 2007 Jan
PMID:Serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 and increased oxidative stress are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in hemodialyzed patients. 1651 Jan 49

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and causes multiple cardiovascular complications. Although high glucose can induce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), its inhibitors and cell apoptosis, little is known about the roles of MMPs in regulating cell apoptosis in response to high glucose. To address this issue, we elucidated the relationship between MMPs, its inhibitors and cell apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were treated with medium containing 5.5 mM or 33 mM of glucose in the presence or the absence of ascorbic acid and MMP inhibitors (GM6001 and endogenous tissue inhibitors of MMPs, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2). For detection of cell apoptosis, the cell death detection ELISA assay was used. The results revealed that high glucose-induced apoptosis could be suppressed by ascorbic acid, GM6001 and TIMP-2, but not by TIMP-1. The activities of MMP-2, MMP-9 and its inhibitors, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 after high glucose treatment, were also detected by ELISA method. We found that the activated form of MMP-2, but not MMP-9, was increased, while the level of TIMP-2, but not TIMP-1, was decreased. In Western blot and RT-PCR analysis, the expression of TIMP-2, but not TIMP-1, after high glucose treatment was downregulated, whereas the levels of MMP-2 and -9 proteins and mRNA were not changed. The present study indicated that oxidative stress induced by high glucose might be involved in the opposite effects on MMP-2 activation and TIMP-2 downregulation. This reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent MMP-2 activation in turn mediates high glucose-induced cell apoptosis in HUVECs.
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PMID:Opposite effects of high glucose on MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in human endothelial cells. 1720 68

The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are endogenous inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Since unregulated MMP activities are linked to arthritis, cancer, and atherosclerosis, TIMP variants that are selective inhibitors of disease-related MMPs have potential therapeutic value. The structures of TIMP/MMP complexes reveal that most interactions with the MMP involve the N-terminal pentapeptide of TIMP and the C-D beta-strand connector which occupy the primed and unprimed regions of the active site. The loop between beta-strands A and B forms a secondary interaction site for some MMPs, ranging from multiple contacts in the TIMP-2/membrane type-1 (MT1)-MMP complex to none in the TIMP-1/MMP-1 complex. TIMP-1 and its inhibitory domain, N-TIMP-1, are weak inhibitors of MT1-MMP; inhibition is not improved by grafting the longer AB loop from TIMP-2 into N-TIMP-1, but this change impairs binding to MMP-3 and MMP-7. Mutational studies with N-TIMP-1 suggest that its weak inhibition of MT1-MMP, as compared to other N-TIMPs, arises from multiple (>3) sequence differences in the interaction site. Substitutions for Thr2 of N-TIMP-1 strongly influence MMP selectivity; Arg and Gly, that generally reduce MMP affinity, have less effect on binding to MMP-9. When the Arg mutation is added to the N-TIMP-1(AB2) mutant, it produces a gelatinase-specific inhibitor with Ki values of 2.8 and 0.4 nM for MMP-2 and -9, respectively. Interestingly, the Gly mutant has a Ki of 2.1 nM for MMP-9 and >40 muM for MMP-2, indicating that engineered TIMPs can discriminate between MMPs in the same subfamily.
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PMID:Constraining specificity in the N-domain of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1; gelatinase-selective inhibitors. 1766 Feb 50

Altered activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is implicated in the vascular remodeling of hypertension. We examined whether increased MMP-2 expression/activity plays a role in the vascular remodeling and dysfunction found in the two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) hypertension. Sham operated or 2K-1C hypertension rats were treated with doxycycline 30mg/(kgday) (or vehicle). Systolic blood pressure was monitored weekly. After 8 weeks of treatment, aortic rings were isolated to assess endothelium-dependent and independent relaxations. Quantitative morphometry of structural changes, collagen, and elastin contents in the aortic wall were studied in hematoxylin/eosin, Sirius Red, and Orceine stained aortic sections, respectively. Aortic MMP-2 levels were determined by gelatin zymography and aortic MMP-2 proteolytic activity was measured using DQ gelatin as the substrate after MMP-2 was captured by a specific antibody and immobilized on a microplate. Aortic MMP-2/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 mRNA levels were determined by real time RT-PCR. Doxycycline attenuated 2K-1C hypertension (215+/-8mmHg versus 167+/-13mmHg in 2K-1C rats and 2K-1C+doxy rats, respectively; P<0.01) and prevented the 35% reduction in endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation found in 2K-1C rats. Doxycycline prevented the increases in media thickness, and was associated with lower media/lumen and cross-sectional areas (all P<0.01). Doxycycline also prevented excessive collagen and elastin deposition in the vascular wall. Increased MMP-2 and Pro-MMP-2 levels and MMP-2 activity were found in the aortas of 2K-1C rats (all P<0.05). A 21-fold increase (P<0.001) in the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 mRNA expression was found in the 2K-1C group, whereas this ratio remained unaltered in 2K-1C+doxy rats. Our results suggest that MMP-2 plays a role in 2K-1C hypertension and its structural and functional vascular changes, which were attenuated by doxycycline.
Atherosclerosis 2008 Jun
PMID:Metalloproteinase inhibition ameliorates hypertension and prevents vascular dysfunction and remodeling in renovascular hypertensive rats. 1805 60

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been suggested to contribute to the development of vascular diseases. Since matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in atherosclerosis and plaque rupture, we investigated the effect of HCMV infection on MMP expression in human macrophages. We used quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and gelatin zymography to study the expression and activity of MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -12, -13, and -14 and of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), -2, -3, and -4. HCMV infection reduced MMP-9 mRNA, protein, and activity levels but increased TIMP-1 mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, a decrease in MMP-12, MMP-14, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 mRNA levels could be detected. The MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA alterations required viral replication. MMP-9 mRNA expression was affected by an immediate-early or early viral gene product, whereas TIMP-1 mRNA expression was affected by late viral gene products. We conclude that HCMV infection specifically alters the MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance in human macrophages, which in turn reduces MMP-9 activity in infected cells. Since MMP-9 prevents atherosclerotic plaque development in mice, these results suggest that HCMV may contribute to atherogenesis through specific effects on MMP-9 activity.
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PMID:Infection with human cytomegalovirus alters the MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance in human macrophages. 1894 72


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