title: Vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques: relationship with plaque destabilization via neovascularization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on carotid plaque destabilization in association with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) production.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of VEGF and MMP-9 were determined immunohistochemically in 53 human endarterectomized atherosclerotic carotid plaques. The relationship to carotid plaque characteristics, clinical data and histological morphology was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF and MMP-9 had parallel overexpression in the inflammatory cells, especially in the neovascularized plaque lesions and around the cholesterol crystals. Strong expression of VEGF was evident in symptomatic patients (p < 0.057), in high-degree stenosis (p = 0.005), and in patients with ischemic infarct in brain scan (p = 0.021). No relation was proved between molecule expression and plaque ultrasonic characteristics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An intense expression of VEGF and MMP-9 in carotid plaques is related to plaque instability, high degree of stenosis and presence of symptomatic carotid occlusive disease.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, University of Athens, Medical School, GR-11633 Pagrati, Athens, Greece. drsigala@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papalambros
authors.forename: Fragiska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sigala
authors.forename: Sotiris
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgopoulos
authors.forename: Nikol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panou
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kavatzas
authors.forename: Manolis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agapitos
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bastounis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9