Mast cell tryptase deficiency attenuates mouse abdominal aortic aneurysm formation.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Mast cells (MCs) contribute to the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) by producing biologically active mediators. Tryptase is the most abundant MC granule protein and participates in MC activation, protease maturation, leukocyte recruitment, and angiogenesis-all processes critical to AAA pathogenesis.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that tryptase participates directly in AAA formation.

Methods and results

Immunohistochemistry demonstrated enhanced tryptase staining in media and adventitia of human and mouse AAA lesions. Serum tryptase levels correlated significantly with the annual expansion rate of AAA before (r = 0.30, P = 0.003) and after (r = 0.29, P = 0.005) adjustment for common AAA risk factors in a patient follow-up study, and associated

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3108141 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature