Common Variants Associated With OSMR Expression Contribute to Carotid Plaque Vulnerability, but Not to Cardiovascular Disease in Humans

Background and Aims: Oncostatin M (OSM) signaling is implicated in atherosclerosis, however the mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the impact of common genetic variants in OSM and its receptors, OSMR and LIFR, on overall plaque vulnerability, plaque phenotype, intraplaque OSMR and LIFR expression, coronary artery calcification burden and...

Oncostatin M reduces atherosclerosis development in APOE*3Leiden.CETP mice and is associated with increased survival probability in humans

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies indicate a role for Oncostatin M (OSM) in atherosclerosis and other chronic inflammatory diseases for which inhibitory antibodies are in development. However, to date no intervention studies with OSM have been performed, and its relation to coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been studied. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Gene...

Inflammatory cytokine oncostatin M induces endothelial activation in macro- and microvascular endothelial cells and in APOE*3Leiden.CETP mice

Aims Endothelial activation is involved in many chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, and is often initiated by cytokines. Oncostatin M (OSM) is a relatively unknown cytokine that has been suggested to play a role in both endothelial activation and atherosclerosis. We comprehensively investigated the effect of OSM on...

Collagenase matrix metalloproteinase-8 expressed in atherosclerotic carotid plaques is associated with systemic cardiovascular outcome

Aims Atherosclerotic plaque rupture and subsequent thrombus formation are the major cause of acute cardiovascular events. Local plaque markers may facilitate detection of the vulnerable plaque and help identify the patient at risk for cardiovascular events. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are prevalent in the arterial wall throughout the...

Chemiluminescent reductive acridinium triggering (CRAT) - mechanism and applications

Acridinium esters traditionally are triggered using basic hydrogen peroxide. By serendipity, we have found that acridinium esters can also be triggered with emission of chemiluminescence by reductive triggering, e.g., by zinc metal or reduced forms of ferric and cupric salts. Furthermore, organic reducing compounds like dithiothreitol,...

Toll-like receptor 4 mediates maladaptive left ventricular remodeling and impairs cardiac function after myocardial infarction

Activation of the innate immune system in atherosclerotic disease

Innate immunity is the first line of defence against invading micro-organisms. The family of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are carried by the invading micro-organisms. Infectious pathogens have been implicated to play an important role in atherosclerosis. Nowadays, evidence is...

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 is associated with stable and matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 with vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic lesions: A study in human endarterectomy specimen pointing to a role for different extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer glycosylation forms

Background and Purpose - We studied matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2, 8, and 9 and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) levels in relation to carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics. Methods - Carotid atherosclerotic plaques (n=150) were stained and analyzed for the presence of collagen, smooth muscle cell (SMC), and...

Involvement of furin-like proprotein convertases in the arterial response to injury

Background: Furin-like proprotein convertases (PCs) are proteolytic activators of proproteins, like membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), that are described in the arterial response to injury. However, the involvement of furin-like PCs in the arterial response to injury has not been...

Toll-Like Receptor 4 Is Involved in Outward Arterial Remodeling

Background-Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) is the receptor for exogenous lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Expression of endogenous Tlr4 ligands, heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) and extra domain A of fibronectin, has been observed in arthritic and oncological specimens in which matrix turnover is an important feature. In atherosclerosis, outward remodeling...

Oral matrix metalloproteinase inhibition and arterial remodeling after balloon dilation: An intravascular ultrasound study in the pig

Background - Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity after balloon angioplasty by intraperitoneal injection of batimastat reduces late lumen loss by inhibition of constrictive remodeling. In the present study, we investigated whether the oral MMP inhibitor marimastat inhibits constrictive remodeling in favor of neutral or expansive...