Vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques: relationship with plaque destabilization via neovascularization.
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.
Papalambros
Efstathios
E
First Department of Surgery, University of Athens, Medical School, GR-11633 Pagrati, Athens, Greece. drsigala@otenet.gr
Sigala
Fragiska
F
Georgopoulos
Sotiris
S
Panou
Nikol
N
Kavatzas
Nikolaos
N
Agapitos
Manolis
M
Bastounis
Elias
E
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*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9