Localization of osteoprotegerin, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand in Mönckeberg's sclerosis and atherosclerosis.
Vascular calcification may occur at different areas of the vessel wall, including the intima in atherosclerosis and the media in Mönckeberg's sclerosis. Medial calcification of arteries is common in patients with diabetes mellitus or chronic renal failure. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand are essential modulators of bone homeostasis and may be involved in the process of vascular calcification. In this study we investigated arteries from patients with Mönckeberg's sclerosis and atherosclerosis. Apoptosis, which precedes vascular calcification in vitro, was assessed by an in situ ligation assay and was localized to the medial layer of arteries (Mönckeberg's sclerosis) and the neointima (atherosclerosis). Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed OPG immunoreactivity and mRNA expression surrounding calcified areas in the medial layer (Mönckeberg's sclerosis), whereas OPG was mainly expressed adjacent to calcified neointimal lesions (atherosclerosis). Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand protein and mRNA were barely or not detectable. Of note, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, an inducer of apoptosis that is also blocked by OPG, displayed a similar spatial distribution as OPG. In summary, we demonstrate enhanced apoptosis adjacent to vascular calcification, and the concurrent expression of regulators of apoptosis and osteoclastic differentiation, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand and OPG, suggesting their involvement in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification.
Schoppet
Michael
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Philipps University, Baldingerstrasse, D-35033 Marburg, Germany. schoppet@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Al-Fakhri
Nadia
N
Franke
Folker E
FE
Katz
Norbert
N
Barth
Peter J
PJ
Maisch
Bernhard
B
Preissner
Klaus T
KT
Hofbauer
Lorenz C
LC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D053245:RANK Ligand; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D053245:RANK Ligand; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505686:TNFRSF11A protein, human; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha