Demonstration of activin-A in arteriosclerotic lesions.
We previously reported that follistatin, an activin-binding protein, is produced in arteriosclerotic lesions. Here, the expression of activin-A which promotes the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells was examined in arteriosclerotic lesions of WHHL (Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic) rabbits. Activin-A mRNA was detected in normal aorta by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for activin-A cDNA and was increased remarkably in arteriosclerotic lesions. In addition, using the cloned rabbit activin-A cDNA, RNA probe was prepared and in situ hybridization histochemistry was performed. Activin-A transcripts were detected abundantly in neointima of the diseased artery. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry also detected activin-A at the protein level. These observations suggest that activin-A is a cytokine expressed in arteriosclerotic lesions and might be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Inoue
S
S
Department of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Orimo
A
A
Hosoi
T
T
Ikegami
A
A
Kozaki
K
K
Ouchi
Y
Y
Nomura
S
S
Muramatsu
M
M
Orimo
H
H
D028341:Activins; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D006133:Growth Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins