title: Biglycan expression in hypertensive subjects with normal or increased carotid intima-media wall thickness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biglycan (BGN), an extracellular matrix proteoglycan, has been shown to convey pro-inflammatory signals. In the present study we investigated BGN expression and its correlation with plasma levels of inflammatory markers in hypertensive subjects with or without alteration of carotid intima media thickness (IMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 123 untreated essential hypertensives with no additional risk factors for atherosclerosis nor signs of cardiovascular disease and 40 controls. Hypertensives were classified according to a normal (< or =1 mm) or increased (>1 mm) IMT. BGN-mRNA and protein expression were measured in unstimulated, LPS- and Angiotensin II (Ang-II)-stimulated blood monocytes. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found increased levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, hs-CRP, and BGN-mRNA and protein in hypertensives vs controls (1.72+/-0.60 vs 1 n-fold, and 3.60+/-0.75 vs 1 n-fold, both p<0.001). However, BGN expression was not significantly different between hypertensives with IMT < or =1 mm and >1 mm. Furthermore, in vitro addition of Ang II enhanced basal BGN-mRNA (in hypertensives: 3.57+/-1.08 vs 1.72+/-0.60 n-fold, p<0.001) and protein (in hypertensives: 4.92+/-0.42 vs 3.41+/-0.75, p<0.001) expression in monocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data provide evidence of an enhanced expression of BGN in essential hypertension. In addition we suggest that Ang II can mediate monocyte BGN production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina,Via Camiciotti, 82, 98123-Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Adriana
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sardo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mandraffino
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saitta
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bitto
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alibrandi
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riggio
authors.forename: Egidio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Imbalzano
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saitta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D058578:Biglycan; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: C546884:BGN protein, human; D058578:Biglycan; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000804:Angiotensin II; D002097:C-Reactive Protein