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Query: UMLS:C0039483 (giant cell arteritis)
 3,204 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a relatively common granulomatous arteritis of unknown etiology which mainly occurs in elderly people. Using histopathological findings from-seven biopsy cases of temporal artery and one autopsy case of GCA, and performing immunocytochemical staining for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2, we tested the hypothesis that an imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may be a critical determinant in developing severe intimal hyperplasia and luminal stenosis. All biopsy cases revealed nearly complete luminal occlusion of the temporal artery with active lymphocytic infiltrate, fragmentation of internal lamina and median elastic fibers. Four of seven cases revealed typical GCA. The autopsy case was systematically sampled for histological examination, revealing GCA in the ascending aorta, main branches of aorta and coronary artery. Immunocytochemical staining revealed intense staining for MMP-2 and -9 in fragmented media of the aorta and artery, and less positive staining for TIMP-1 and -2 at the MMP-positive media. In situ hybridization revealed intense positive staining for TIMPs in GCA despite weak immunocytochemical staining for TIMPs. Control cases were negative for TIMPs by immunocytochemical staining whereas RNA message level was mildly positive at a lesser intensity than that of GCA. Granulomatous tissue of fibroblasts and giant cells were most intensely positive for MMPs. The presence of markedly increased MMPs and less increased TIMPs in GCA may implicate an MMPs-TIMPs imbalance in the pathogenesis of GCA.
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PMID:Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in giant cell arteritis: an immunocytochemical study. 953 7

As stated at the beginning of this paper conclusions reached thus far cannot be discussed in this paper. However, a great deal of information is available for examination.EPA displayed its ability to coordinate widely separated laboratories, both Federal and private, into a smooth working team in a very short period of time. A very comprehensive study plan was also developed and implemented quickly. EPA was fortunate to have already had GCA under contract when the emergency arose. In no small part the success of the field effort was due to the managerial and technical abilities of the GCA team.Within a period of 6 weeks a plan was developed, a prime contractor retained, subcontractors hired, and field activities begun. Within a period of 3 months in excess of 8600 field samples were collected and over 12,000 field and QC samples were analyzed. During this same period 2 major data systems were developed, debugged, and placed into operation.In short this EPA project was probably the most comprehensive multimedia field project ever attempted by EPA and certainly the data is being subjected to the most strenuous quality control measures ever imposed by this Agency. The entire program is presently under peer review and the results are being prepared for publication by EPA Headquarters.
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PMID:EPA's monitoring program at Love Canal 1980. 2426 96