Abstract
Background - The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to cardiovascular remodeling, and MMPs, such as the gelatinases (MMP-9 and MMP-2), have been identified in thoracic aortic aneurysmal (TAA) tissue, but a cause-effect relationship has not been clearly established. Accordingly, this study examined TAA progression in mice devoid of the MMP-9 gene. Methods and Results - The descending thoracic aortas of wild-type (WT) FVB (n = 17) and MMP-9 gene knockout (KO, n = 11) mice were exposed to 0.5 mol/L of CaCl 2 for 15 minutes with terminal studies performed at 4 weeks. Aortic lumen diameter was measured using video micrometry at baseline and at 4 weeks (TAA) followed by aortic tissue analysis. In WT mice, aortic diameter increased by 138±5% at 4 weeks (P<0.05), consistent with TAA formation. In the KO mice, aortic diameter increased from baseline by 120±4% (P<0.05) but was attenuated from WT TAA values (P<0.05). Gelatin zymography performed on TAA segments confirmed the absence of MMP-9 in the KO mice but a >8-fold relative increase in the active form of MMP-2 compared with WT (P<0.05). Despite this, MMP-2 activity was relatively increased (P<0.05) and colocalized to smooth muscle cell actin in a differential pattern favoring medial distruction in the WT TAA compared with the KO TAA segments. Conclusions - These results demonstrate that MMP-9 gene deletion attenuated TAA formation despite an increase in the zymographic levels of MMP-2. These unique findings suggest that an interaction between these 2 MMPs is necessary to facilitate TAA progression.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | I242-I248 |
Journal | Circulation |
Volume | 112 |
Issue number | 9 SUPPL. |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 30 2005 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aneurysm
- Aorta
- MMP-2
- MMP-9
- Thorax
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
- Physiology (medical)