Expression of c-myc and H-ras and absence of expression of p53 and bcl-2 genes in atherosclerotic human carotid arteries

K. Toutouzas, E. Messaris, M. Manousos Konstadoulakis, E. Chatzigianni, M. Karayannis, P. S. Davaris, G. Androulakis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Increased gene expression has been found in both animal and human atherosclerotic lesions, mediating cell turnover and lesion development. We investigated the role of p53, bcl-2, c-myc and H-ras genes in atherosclerotic lesions. We examined immunohistochemically the carotid arteries of 86 patients who underwent atherectomy for primary atherosclerosis and 20 normal carotid arteries. C-myc over-expression was seen in 13 (15.1%) cases and H-ras in 21 (24.4%) cases of the 86 specimens, while no expression of either gene was found in the normal specimens. P53 and bcl-2 genes were not expressed in either the atherosclerotic or the normal specimens. Six out of 7 patients that co-expressed the c-myc and H-ras genes in their lesions were hypertensive (> 160/95) (p = 0.04). No significant correlation was found between the gene expression and the risk factors or the presence of clinical symptoms. Although, c-myc and H-ras are not independently correlated to one of the risk factors of atherogenesis, their co-expression is significantly increased in hypertensive patients. P53 and bcl-2 were not expressed in either the study or the control group, however, their absence of expression may be important in atherogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)253-256
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology
Volume5
Issue number3
StatePublished - Dec 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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