Fol. Biol. 2017, 63, 209-216

https://doi.org/10.14712/fb2017063050209

Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Endogenous Inhibitors in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease (Syndrome Leriche)

N. Vasic1, S. Glumac2, Snežana Pejić3, L. J. Amidzic4,5, L. J. Tadic Latinovic4, B. Dozic6, S. Hinic7, Z. Maksimovic8

1Department of Vascular Surgery, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
3Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “Vinca” Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
4Department of Clinical Pathology, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
5Department of Human Genetics; University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
6Institute of Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
7Department of Cardiology, University Clinical Hospital Centre “Bezanijska kosa”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
8Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Serbian Clinical Centre; University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

Received May 2017
Accepted February 2018

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) play a complex role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We compared (1) the histopathological findings in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and aortoiliac occlusive disease (AOD); (2) the expression of MMP-2/MMP-9 and TIMP-1/TIMP-2 in aortic layers, inflammatory cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), aiming to identify the common underlying pathogenic mechanisms of the disease development. Samples were obtained from 30 patients with AAA and 30 with AOD. Aortic histology and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate inflammatory changes and MMP and TIMP expression. Thrombosis and ulceration were more frequent in AOD than in AAA. The MMP-9 expression was elevated in all aortic layers of AAA patients and in media/adventitia of AOD patients, mainly followed by lower expression of its inhibitor TIMP-1. Higher MMP-9 expression was also found in SMCs and macrophages of both AAA and AOD specimens, while higher TIMP-1/TIMP-2 were predominantly observed in the lymphocytes and macrophages of the aneurysm. These results showed that both conditions exhibited increased MMP-9 expression; however, the MMP expression pattern differed to some degree between the aneurysms and occlusive disease. The variations in molecular mechanisms underlying dilatative/stenosing disease warrant further investigation.

Funding

The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Srpska.

References

36 live references