Elastin calcification in the rat subdermal model is accompanied by up-regulation of degradative and osteogenic cellular responses.

ABSTRACT: Calcification of vascular elastin occurs in patients with arteriosclerosis, renal failure, diabetes, and vascular graft implants. We hypothesized that pathological elastin calcification is related to degenerative and osteogenic mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, the temporal expression of genes and proteins associated with elastin degradation and osteogenesis was examined in the rat subdermal calcification model by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and specific protein assays. Purified elastin implanted subdermally in juvenile rats exhibited progressive calcification in a time-dependent manner along with fibroblast and macrophage infiltration. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that relative gene expression levels of matri

SUBMITTER: Lee JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1606489 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature