TY - JOUR
T1 - Expression of c-myc and H-ras and absence of expression of p53 and bcl-2 genes in atherosclerotic human carotid arteries
AU - Toutouzas, K.
AU - Messaris, E.
AU - Konstadoulakis, M. Manousos
AU - Chatzigianni, E.
AU - Karayannis, M.
AU - Davaris, P. S.
AU - Androulakis, G.
PY - 2002/12
Y1 - 2002/12
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0036910874
SN - 1561-2775
VL - 5
SP - 253
EP - 256
JO - Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology
JF - Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology
IS - 3
ER -