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Type A dissection and chronic dilatation: tenascin-C as a key factor in destabilization of the aortic wall

Karola Trescher1, Barbara Thometich, Svitlana Demyanets

  • 1Department of Cardiac Surgery, LK St. Pölten, St. Poelten, Austria. karola.trescher@meduniwien.ac.at

Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
|May 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Tenascin-C is elevated in acute aortic dissection, indicating progressive aortic wall destabilization. This protein may help guide interventions for ascending aorta diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Aortic Disease Research

Background:

  • Tenascin-C (TN-C) is implicated in myocardial and vascular remodeling.
  • Its role in degenerative diseases of the ascending aorta, including chronic dilatation and acute aortic dissection, requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of tenascin-C in the pathogenesis of chronic dilatation and acute aortic dissection of the ascending aorta.
  • To assess tenascin-C expression in aortic tissue and peripheral blood in relation to aortic disease severity.

Main Methods:

  • Ascending aortic wall specimens were analyzed from patients with chronic dilatation (n=52), acute Type A dissection (n=30), and controls (n=12).
  • Tenascin-C expression was quantified using immunostaining and ImageJ software.
  • Peripheral blood TN-C levels were measured via ELISA.

Main Results:

  • Tenascin-C staining was homogenous in chronic dilatation and heterogenous/spotty in acute dissection, with no staining in controls.
  • Tenascin-C expression was significantly higher in acute Type A dissection compared to chronic dilatation.
  • Peripheral blood TN-C levels were elevated in acute dissection but showed no correlation with aortic diameter.

Conclusions:

  • Tenascin-C serves as a marker for progressive aortic wall destabilization in both chronic dilatation and acute dissection, independent of aortic size.
  • Elevated tenascin-C may be a valuable biomarker for guiding intervention strategies in ascending aorta diseases.
Abstract

Keywords:
Aorta/aortic pathologyAortic aneurysmAortic dissection

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