[Expression of urokiase-type plasminogen activator and matrix metalloproteinases in human tissue of abdominal aortic aneurysm].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and matrix metalloproteinases in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tissue.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were employed to detect the protein and mRNA expression of u-PA, gelatinase A (MMP-2) and gelatinase B (MMP-9) in the tissue sections of 30 AAA specimens and 30 normal human abdominal aorta specimens.


RESULTS
The expressions of u-PA and MMP-9 were mainly found in the macrophages in AAA tissue, but not in normal human abdominal aorta tissues. The expression of MMP-2 was found mainly in the smooth muscle cells in AAA tissues, but not in normal human abdominal aorta tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
u-PA produced by macrophages may immediately activate proMMP-2 and proMMP-9, which play a pivotal role in the formation and development of AAA.
Li
Yan
Y
Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
Zhang
Ye-wei
YW
D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9