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

We have previously demonstrated that human aortic endothelium exhibits morphologic heterogeneity in situ, and this heterogeneity can be reproduced in culture. In this study, we have compared prothrombotic properties of cultured endothelial cells (EC) from areas of human aorta at high risk for atherosclerosis (HP-EC) with EC from areas at low risk (LP-EC). Using paired cultures from the same donors, we have found that the expression of cell surface thrombomodulin (TM)--as measured by the ability to generate activated protein C (APC) from protein C in the presence of thrombin--is relatively reduced on HP-EC compared to LP-EC (respectively, 4.98 +/- 4.43 vs. 5.83 +/- 4.37 pM APC/min/cm2; p = .03, n = 12). Furthermore, HP-EC more efficiently assemble the prothrombinase complex on their cellular surface, resulting in an increased rate of thrombin generation from prothrombin (9.81 +/- 3.10 (HP-EC) vs. 7.96 +/- 3.20 nM thrombin/min/cm2 (LP-EC); p less than .03, n = 7). The combination of reduced TM expression and increased prothrombinase complex assembly on HP-EC suggests a prothrombotic phenotype in these cells. These findings may be important in the pathogenesis of thrombosis associated with atherosclerotic plaques.
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PMID:Prothrombotic phenotype diversity of human aortic endothelial cells in culture. 133 14

Most of the linkage of atherosclerosis and thrombosis with estrogens is epidemiologic in origin. Although the effects of estrogens on the mechanisms of hemostasis are wide ranging, many are benign; only a few may account for thrombus formation. Platelet function tests have provided extensive but contradictory data, and interpretation is limited because it is uncertain whether a rise in one or more of these parameters is a primary or secondary effect. The most consistent effects of estrogens on coagulation proteins are elevations of fibrinogen; factors II, VII, IX, X, and XII; protein C; and plasminogen. Although these elevations have been attributed to the estrogenic component in oral contraceptives, the progestogen concentration may also influence these increases. Among other coagulation proteins studied, the following are unaffected by oral contraceptive use: factors V, VIII, and XI; prekallikrein; and high-molecular-weight kininogen. In contrast, protein S values are decreased. The plasma concentration of plasmin inhibitor is unchanged, whereas both proteinase inhibitor and macroglobulin are significantly increased by oral contraceptive use. Cl esterase inhibitor is decreased in women taking oral contraceptives and correlates with the increase in Hageman factor. Antithrombin III is one plasma inhibitor for which a decrease in quantity and activity have been associated with a thrombotic tendency in humans. Although data on estrogen-associated changes in the quantity of antithrombin III have been conflicting, the ability of plasma to inhibit factor Xa is significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner among pre- and postmenopausal estrogen users.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Estrogen-associated thromboembolism. 134 94

Latent infection of vascular cells with herpes-viruses may play a pathogenic role in the development of human atherosclerosis. In a previous study, we found that cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) infected with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) became procoagulant, exemplified both by their enhanced assembly of the prothrombinase complex and by their inability to reduce adhesion of platelets. We now report two further procoagulant consequences of endothelial HSV infection: loss of surface thrombomodulin (TM) activity and induction of synthesis of tissue factor. Within 4 hr of infection of HUVECs, TM activity measured by thrombin-dependent protein C activation declined 21 +/- 3% (P less than 0.05) and by 18 hr, 48 +/- 5% (P less than 0.001). Similar significant TM decrements accompanied infection of bovine aortic endothelial cells. Identical TM loss was induced with HSV-2 infection but not with adenovirus infection. Decreased surface expression of TM antigen (measured by the specific binding of a polyclonal antibody to bovine TM) closely paralleled the loss of TM activity. As examined by Northern blotting, these losses apparently reflected rapid onset (within 4 hr of HSV infection) loss of mRNA for TM. In contrast, HSV infection induced a viral-dose-dependent increase in synthesis of tissue factor protein, adding to the procoagulant state. The results indicate that loss of endothelial protein-synthetic capacity is not a universal effect of HSV infection. We suggest that the procoagulant state induced by reduction in TM activity and amplified tissue factor activity accompanying HSV infection of endothelium could contribute to deposition of thrombi on atherosclerotic plaques and to the "coagulant-necrosis" state that characterizes HSV-infected mucocutaneous lesions.
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PMID:Infection of vascular endothelial cells with herpes simplex virus enhances tissue factor activity and reduces thrombomodulin expression. 216 19

Restenosis after angioplasty is probably related to 2 processes: thrombosis and recurrence of atherosclerosis. Many approaches to altering these processes are available, but to date none has shown a high rate of success. Heparin has properties relevant to both processes; this makes it an attractive compound for further study. The anticoagulant action of heparin is well known. It is mediated primarily though complex formation with antithrombin III, which leads to a conformational change and an increased rate of thrombin inactivation. Heparin has additional antithrombotic actions, largely mediated through the formation of the same complex, but involving precursor elements such as factor Xa. These actions of heparin can be localized to different portions of the large, complex molecule. Additionally, experimental studies have demonstrated an antiproliferative action of heparin, a property that may be relevant to smooth muscle cell proliferation after angioplasty. This is mediated by a fairly small, functionally distinct nonanticoagulant portion of the heparin molecule. Fragments of heparin possessing particular actions are being investigated experimentally and clinically. Continued investigations of the structure and function of heparin promise to lead to a decreased rate of restenosis and a better understanding of the mechanisms of angioplasty.
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PMID:Anticoagulation and restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. 295 35

75 patients with atherosclerosis divided into five disease groups (previous myocardial infarction and cerebral thrombosis, angina pectoris, transient ischemic attacks, arteriosclerosis obliterans) were studied and compared to 20 healthy subjects. Antithrombin III (AT III) concentration was determined by single radial immunodiffusion; AT III and factor Xa-inhibitor (Xa-I) activities were measured by amidolytic methods. No significant difference was found in any group of patients as compared to normal controls by all the methods. A positive correlation was found between AT III concentration and AT III activity, AT III concentration and Xa-I activity, AT III activity and Xa-I activity. Results are discussed in relation to the literature data.
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PMID:Antithrombin III and factor Xa inhibitor in atherosclerosis. 661 88

Eight human subjects were fed diets enriched in saturated fat (SF), or polyunsaturated fat (PUF) and after each dietary regimen the plasma heparinthrombin clotting time (HTCT) was determined. The HTCT of citrated plasma indicated reduced heparin-neutralizing activity (HNA) after PUF feeding compared with SF feeding. Platelet factor 4 (PF4) levels in the citrated plasma samples demonstrated an inverse correlation with the HTCT (r = 0.62). Experiments with purified PF4 indicated that the PF4 present in citrated plasma could only account for approximately 10% of the HNA. Plasma prepared in a manner which minimized in vitro release of platelet constituents contained significantly less PF4 after PUF feeding and indicated that most of the PF4 found in citrated plasma resulted from in vitro release. The factor Xa inhibitory activity of citrated plasma was not significantly altered by either of the dietary regimens.
Atherosclerosis 1982 Feb
PMID:Further observations on the effects of dietary fatty acid composition on platelet reactivity and blood coagulation in man and the influence of methodology on findings. 706 77

Recent advances in determining anti-thrombogenic functions of vascular endothelial cells are reviewed. The following anticoagulant and fibrinolytic systems of endothelial cells are physiologically important; (1) Endothelial cell-derived metabolites including prostacyclin and nitric oxide (NO) support platelet inactivity. (2) Antithrombin III and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) bound to heparin-like proteoglycans on endothelial cell membrane inhibit activated serine protease coagulation factors such as thrombin, factor Xa and factor VIIa-tissue factor complex. (3) Thrombomodulin converts thrombin from procoagulant into anticoagulant. Thrombin associated to thrombomodulin on endothelial cells activates protein C. Activated protein C in concert with protein S bound to endothelial cell membrane inactivates factors Va and VIIIa. (4) A receptor for both tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen on endothelial cells provides an efficient plasmin generating system. Perturbation of these anti-thrombogenic systems of endothelial cells is caused by endotoxin (LPS), cytokines such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and risk factors for atherogenesis including lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine may result in arterial or venous thrombosis with subsequent development of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:[Anticoagulant and fibrinolytic systems of the injured vascular endothelial cells]. 817 40

Low molecular weight heparins are well established in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis in patients with general surgery, in high risk patients undergoing elective hip surgery or emergency surgery and also in patients with an enhanced risk of thrombosis who are treated in medical wards. There are, however, many possibilities for improving prophylaxis and treatment with LMWH. The mechanisms by which low molecular weight heparins and also unfractionated heparin inhibit thrombus formation are not fully understood. The inhibition of thrombin formation and local effects at the endothelial level may be more important than antithrombin-III mediated effects on factor IIa and on factor Xa. For most low molecular weight heparins the most effective dose regimens to be used in patients at high risk have not yet been established. Low molecular weight heparins may be more effective in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis than unfractionated heparin. In the therapeutic studies published so far the major intention was to show that low molecular weight heparins can prevent the progression of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism to the same extent as unfractionated heparin. Extended treatment regimens, however, may lead to a relevant thrombus reduction. Outpatient treatment for a longer period of time with results not far from those obtained with thrombolysis seem possible especially in elderly patients. Low molecular weight heparins in their present form or modified low molecular weight heparins may be useful for long-term treatment of patients with atherosclerosis with the aim of regression of atherosclerotic lesions. New forms of application, e.g. inhalation, may render long-term treatment more feasible.
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PMID:Low molecular weight heparins--state-of-the-art and unsolved issues. 818 Mar 24

Throughout the last few decades, different factors have been related to coronary stenosis which is clinically evidenced by coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in developed countries. Different experimental models have contributed towards defining some of these factors, and to an understanding of the physiopathology of the atherosclerotic lesion. The genetic basis related to individual responses to the same event is currently being established. As endothelial injury reparative mechanisms are fundamental in atherosclerosis pathogeny, patients who experiment restenosis after undergoing revascularization procedures are useful human models in the study of these processes. We review from the literature the genetic factors related to thrombus formation, which may be associated with restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, in order to define the most suitable anticoagulant therapy for each patient. We refer to the recently characterized gene for the platelet receptors and its relationship with fibrinogenous, factor Xa, PAI-I, and the involvement of apolipoprotein (a) in the coagulation process.
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PMID:[Blood coagulation, genetics and post-angioplasty restenosis]. 905 43

TF antigen and activity are found in abundance in human atherosclerotic plaques, particularly in the lipid-rich core. TF is also readily induced in the arterial wall by balloon injury and accumulates in the resulting neointima. In chronic atherosclerosis, the macrophage is likely to be the major source of TF within the plaque. TF accumulates as an early event associated with the migration of monocytes to the vessel wall in response to chemoattractants, such as MCP-1, and their differentiation into macrophages. As SMC become activated in the developing plaque, they provide a second source of TF. Macrophages and SMC accumulate lipid and become foam cells, ultimately degenerating into a necrotic core rich in TF. Spontaneous plaque rupture or acute interventions expose active TF in the core to circulating blood, triggering thrombosis. In acute arterial injury, SMC appear to be the chief source of TF. In normal vessels, the induction of TF in the medial SMC is not sufficient to generate fibrin, presumably because the TF is not readily accessible on the luminal surface. In contrast, endothelial denudation of previously injured arteries may expose intimal TF to circulating blood, resulting in rapid fibrin deposition. In advanced human atherosclerosis, it is likely that even in areas that do not contain "unstable" or "stable" plaques, the vessel wall is not normal and more closely resembles that of a previously injured artery possessing an active intima. Interventions, such as balloon angioplasty, coronary atherectomy, or stent placement may expose intimal TF, leading to fibrin deposition. As the initiator of coagulation, TF is a potential target for inhibiting the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis. TFPI (reviewed in 52) is currently under clinical investigation as an anticoagulant and its effects on intimal hyperplasia in animal models are being studied. Direct factor Xa inhibitors, such as tick anticoagulant peptide (TAP) and leech anticoagulant peptide (ATS), are also under investigation (53-54). Finally, the recent crystallization of TF (55) and the TF:VIIa (56) should provide important new insights into the design of molecules for directly inhibiting TF.
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PMID:Tissue factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. 919 53


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