Changes in gene expression in atherosclerotic plaques analyzed using DNA array.
A better understanding of atherogenesis at the level of gene expression could lead to the identification of new therapeutic strategies for vascular diseases. With DNA array technology, it is possible to identify multiple, simultaneous changes in gene expression in small tissue samples from atherosclerotic arteries. We analyzed gene expression in normal arteries and in immunohistologically characterized human advanced atherosclerotic lesions using an array of 18376 cDNA fragments. The array method was first validated by detecting a group of genes (n=17) that were already known to be connected to atherogenesis. These genes included e.g. Apolipoprotein E, CD68, TIMP and phospholipase D. Next we detected 75 differentially expressed genes that were previously not connected to atherogenesis. A subgroup of genes involved in cell signaling and proliferation was selected for further analyzes with in situ hybridization and RT-PCR which confirmed array results by showing induction in advanced lesions of Janus kinase 1 (JAK-1) which is an important signaling molecule in activated macrophages; VEGF receptor-2 which mediates angiogenic and vasculoprotective effects of VEGF; and an unknown gene, which mapped on chromosome 19. It is concluded that DNA array technology enables fast screening of gene expression in small samples of atherosclerotic lesions. The technique will be useful for the identification of new factors, such as JAK-1 and VEGF receptor-2, which may play an important role in atherogenesis.
Department of Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, Fin-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
Mikko O
MO
Hiltunen
Tiina T
TT
Tuomisto
Mari
M
Niemi
Jan H
JH
Bräsen
Tuomas T
TT
Rissanen
Petri
P
Törönen
Ismo
I
Vajanto
Seppo
S
Ylä-Herttuala
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D046508:Culture Techniques; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012016:Reference Values; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D018076:DNA, Complementary