Increased expression of bFGF is associated with carotid atherosclerotic plaques instability engaging the NF-κB pathway.

ABSTRACT: Unstable atherosclerotic plaques of the carotid arteries are at great risk for the development of ischemic cerebrovascular events. The degradation of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and NO-induced apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contribute to the vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaques. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) through its mitogenic and angiogenic properties has already been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, its role in plaque stability remains elusive. To address this issue, a panel of human carotid atherosclerotic plaques was analyzed for bFGF, FGF-receptors-1 and -2 (FGFR-1/-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and MMP-9 expression. Our data revealed increased expression of bFGF and FGFR-1 i

SUBMITTER: Sigala F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3822568 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature