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

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.