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Elastin content, cross-links, and mRNA in normal and aneurysmal human aorta
B T Baxter1, G S McGee, V P Shively
1Department of Surgery, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill.
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) significantly reduces insoluble elastin content. Elastin mRNA is detectable in AAA tissues, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation may be key in this disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Vascular Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Elastin depletion is a suspected cause of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
- Limited knowledge exists regarding elastin transcription and modification in normal and diseased human aortas.
Purpose of the Study:
- Quantify total elastin and elastin cross-links (desmosine/isodesmosine [DID]) in AAA and control aorta.
- Determine elastin mRNA presence in infrarenal aorta from AAA patients and controls.
Main Methods:
- Quantified DID and valine-alanine-proline-glycine (VAPG) using HPLC after thermolysin digestion.
- Assessed tissue mRNA via Northern blot analysis.
- Compared mean values using Student's t-test.
Main Results:
- Insoluble elastin proportion was significantly lower in AAA tissue (1.3% vs. 12%).
- Solubilized elastin percentages did not differ between AAA and control tissues.
- Elastin mRNA was detectable in all analyzed tissues.
Conclusions:
- AAA tissue shows a marked decrease in insoluble elastin.
- Elastin mRNA is present in AAA, indicating potential post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.
- The non-elastin component of NaOH-insoluble residue in AAA is rich in polar amino acids.