Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
Differential expression of PHACTR1 in atheromatous versus normal carotid artery tissue
Ilana E Green1, Stephen R Williams1, Michèle M Sale2
1Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, United States.
Insights
Lower PHACTR1 gene expression was observed in atheromatous carotid artery tissue compared to non-atheromatous tissue. This finding suggests PHACTR1 may play a role in carotid atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology and genetics
- Cardiovascular research
Background:
- Genetic variations in PHACTR1 (phosphatase and actin regulator-1) are linked to vascular diseases.
- PHACTR1 regulates the EDN1 (endothelin-1) gene and is associated with coronary and carotid artery dissection and coronary artery disease.
- The role of PHACTR1 in carotid atherosclerosis remains uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential expression of PHACTR1 and EDN1 in human carotid artery tissue.
- To determine the association between PHACTR1 expression and the presence of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PHACTR1 and EDN1 gene expression.
- Comparison of gene expression between atheromatous and non-atheromatous carotid artery tissues from the same individuals.
Main Results:
- PHACTR1 expression levels were significantly lower in atheromatous carotid artery tissue compared to non-atheromatous tissue.
- Differential expression analysis revealed reduced PHACTR1 in atherosclerotic plaques.
Conclusions:
- PHACTR1 expression is reduced in atherosclerotic carotid artery tissue.
- These findings suggest a potential role for PHACTR1 in the pathogenesis of carotid atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Variation in the phosphatase and actin regulator-1 (PHACTR1) gene, a downstream regulator of the endothelin-1 (EDN1) gene, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several related vascular phenotypes including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, non-atherosclerotic coronary artery dissection, and carotid artery dissection, though it has not been studied in carotid atherosclerosis. We analyzed differential expression of PHACTR1 and EDN1 between atheromatous and non-atheromatous carotid artery tissue within the same individual and found lower levels of PHACTR1 expression in the atheromatous carotid tissue.
More Related Videos
11:00A Model of Disturbed Flow-Induced Atherosclerosis in Mouse Carotid Artery by Partial Ligation and a Simple Method of RNA Isolation from Carotid Endothelium
Published on: June 22, 2010
06:43Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus
Published on: December 7, 2013
