[Aortic calcification and matrix metalloproteinases].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between arterial calcification and matrix metalloproteinases including MMP-1 and MMP-3.


METHODS
15 human aorta specimens from autopsies were stained with HE to identify calcification. Immunohistochemical method was used to determine the secretion of MMP-1 and MMP-3.


RESULTS
Among the 15 aorta specimens, calcification was found in 10 and no calcification in the remaining 5. There was no significant difference in the percentage of MMP-1 positive cells between two groups, with 83.8% +/- 5.2% in calcified specimens vs 84.0% +/- 7.5% in non calcified ones. 9 of the 10 calcified aortas were positive for MMP-3 staining. Serial sections showed that the localization of positivity was in concordance with calcified regions. The 5 normal aortas were MMP-3 negative. The difference between the two groups was significant.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-3 secretion relates closely with arterial calcification. And MMP-3 may participate in calcium minerali-zation in arteries. MMP-1 has no relation with arterial calcification.
Cui
X
X
Institute of Geriatric Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Wang
S
S
Guo
A
A
D001011:Aorta / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D001344:Autopsy; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000032:analysis; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000032:analysis; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis*
D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1