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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
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Published on: March 10, 2020
HO-1 and VGEF gene expression in human arteries with advanced atherosclerosis
Wael G Morsi1, Olfat G Shaker, Emad F Ismail
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt.
Insights
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are linked to atherosclerosis. HO-1 appears in advanced lesions, while VEGF increases with lesion severity, suggesting a connection in advanced atherosclerotic endothelial cells.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Medicine
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play roles in atherosclerosis progression.
- Understanding their interplay in endothelial cells (ECs) is crucial for atherosclerosis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between HO-1 and VEGF gene expression and protein levels in human atherosclerotic arterial ECs.
- To determine the presence and levels of HO-1 and VEGF in early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 17 human arterial specimens with early/advanced atherosclerotic lesions and 10 healthy controls.
- Measurement of HO-1 and VEGF expression, HO activity, and VEGF protein content in isolated ECs.
Main Results:
- HO-1 expression and activity were detected exclusively in ECs from advanced atherosclerotic lesions.
- VEGF expression and protein were found in early and advanced lesions, increasing with severity.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between HO activity and VEGF protein in advanced lesions.
Conclusions:
- HO-1 is specific to advanced atherosclerosis, while VEGF is present throughout, escalating with disease severity.
- Findings suggest a significant association between HO activity and VEGF protein in ECs of advanced human atherosclerotic lesions.
Objectives:
Both heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been shown to be involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. The relationship between HO-1 and VEGF gene expression and their proteins in endothelial cells from human atherosclerotic arterial specimens was investigated.
Design And Methods:
The study included seventeen human arterial specimens with early and six specimens with advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Ten specimens were obtained from healthy young adults undergoing arterial reconstruction for trauma and were considered as non-atherosclerotic control. HO-1 and VEGF expressions as well as HO activity and VEGF protein content were measured in isolated endothelial cells (ECs).
Results:
HO-1 expression and activity (5.3+/-2.1 nmol bilirubin/mg protein/h) were only present in ECs from advanced atherosclerotic lesions. VEGF expression was more strongly expressed in ECs from advanced lesion compared with early lesions and was absent in healthy arteries. VEGF protein (1.35+/-0.69 ng/mg) was only detected in advanced lesions. A significant positive correlation (r=0.9, p<0.01) exists between HO activity and VEGF protein content in ECs of advanced lesions.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated that HO-1 expression and activity in ECs are present only in advanced atherosclerosis whereas, VEGF expression is present in early as well as in advanced atherosclerosis and the degree of its expression increases with severity of atherosclerosis. This study suggests an association between HO activity and VEGF protein in human ECs from advanced atherosclerotic lesions.
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