title: Up-regulation and coexpression of MIF and matrix metalloproteinases in human abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized dilatation of the arterial wall as a result of extensive breakdown of its structural proteins by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). AAA continuously expand and may eventually rupture, causing high mortality rates. The molecular processes underlying expansion and rupture of AAA are only poorly understood. In this study, evidence was sought for a direct involvement of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the pathogenesis of AAA through up-regulating MMPs, with particular reference to macrophages. To this end, expression and cellular localization of MIF were analyzed in human aortic wall samples of stable AAA and ruptured AAA, and compared with control aorta and atherosclerotic aorta (AS). MIF expression was up-regulated in stable AAA and further intensified in ruptured AAA. The increased aneurysmal MIF expression was paralleled by an enhanced expression of specific MMPs, viz. MMP-1, MMP-9, and MMP-12, and by a decrease of their inhibitors. Immunohistochemical analysis of AAA and AS showed MIF protein in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), macrophages, and T cells. MMP-1 (in SMCs and macrophages) and MMP-9 (in macrophages) were colocalized with MIF at the cellular level in ruptured AAA. The up-regulation of aneurysmal MIF/MMP expression was associated with an increased content of cytotoxic T cells.
authors.affiliation: Gaubius Laboratory, TNO-Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verschuren
authors.forename: Jan H N
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lindeman
authors.forename: J Hajo
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: van Bockel
authors.forename: Hazem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdul-Hussien
authors.forename: Teake
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kooistra
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kleemann
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000166:cytology; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C507122:MMP12 protein, human; D053508:Matrix Metalloproteinase 12; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1