Increased YKL-40 expression in patients with carotid atherosclerosis
Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
Objective: We hypothesized a role for the inflammatory protein YKL-40 in atherogenesis and plaque destabilization based on its role in macrophage activation, tissue remodeling, and angiogenesis. Methods: Serum YKL-40 levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 89 patients with carotid atherosclerosis and 20 healthy controls. Carotid expression of YKL-40 was examined by real time RT-PCR in 57 of the patients. Regulation and effect of YKL-40 were examined in THP-1 monocytes. Results: Our main findings were: (1) serum YKL-40 levels were significantly elevated in patients with carotid atherosclerosis, with particularly high levels in those with symptomatic disease; (2) patients with recent ischemic symptoms (within 2 months) had higher YKL-40 mRNA levels in carotid plaque than other patients; (3) in vitro, the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol, toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 agonists, and in particular releasate from activated platelets significantly increased the expression of YKL-40 in THP-1 monocytes and (4) in vitro, YKL-40 increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and activity in THP-1 monocytes, involving activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that YKL-40 might be a marker of plaque instability, potentially reflecting macrophage activation and matrix degradation within the atherosclerotic lesion. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Atherosclerosis |
Vol/bind | 211 |
Udgave nummer | 2 |
Sider (fra-til) | 589-595 |
Antal sider | 7 |
ISSN | 0021-9150 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 2010 |
ID: 34097218