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Smooth muscle cell elastase, atherosclerosis, and abdominal aortic aneurysms
J R Cohen1, I Sarfati, D Danna
1Department of Surgery, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York 11042.
Annals of Surgery
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) secrete elastase in response to elastin peptides. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patient SMCs show a higher elastase response, suggesting a role in atherosclerosis progression.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play a critical role in vascular health.
- Atherosclerosis, including abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), involves complex cellular processes.
- Elastin degradation products are implicated in vascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate elastase secretion by human aortic SMCs.
- To determine the effect of elastin-derived peptides (EDP) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) on SMC elastase activity.
- To compare elastase secretion in SMCs from patients with AAA, aortic occlusive disease (AOD), and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Human aortic explants from AAA patients, AOD patients, and controls were cultured.
- Specimens were treated with medium alone, EDP, or LDL.
- Elastase activity in 4-week-old cultures was measured.
Main Results:
- Younger control aortas showed higher baseline elastase secretion.
- EDP significantly increased elastase secretion in all groups.
- AAA patient SMCs exhibited a significantly higher increase in elastase secretion in response to EDP compared to AOD or controls.
- LDL had no significant effect on SMC elastase secretion.
Conclusions:
- Aortic SMCs secrete elastase in response to EDP.
- SMC elastase secretion is age-dependent.
- AAA SMCs secrete abnormally high amounts of elastase in response to elastin breakdown products, potentially contributing to atherosclerosis.