title: Cystathionine γ-lyase is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaque microvessels and is involved in micro-angiogenesis.
abstract: Atherosclerotic plaques are classically divided into stable and vulnerable plaques. Vulnerable plaques are prone to rupture with a risk for infarction. High intraplaque microvessel density predisposes to plaque vulnerability. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a proangiogenic gasotransmitter which is endogenously produced by cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and is believed to have vasculoprotective effects. However, due to its proangiogenic effects, H2S may result in pathological angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques, thereby increasing plaque vulnerability. The aim of this study was to determine CSE expression pattern in atherosclerotic plaques, and investigate whether CSE is involved in micro-angiogenesis in vitro. Endarterectomy plaques were studied for CSE expression, and the role of CSE in micro-angiogenesis was studied in vitro. CSE is expressed in plaques with similar levels in both stable and vulnerable plaques. CSE co-localized with von Willebrand Factor-positive microvessel endothelial cells and alpha-smooth-muscle actin-positive SMCs. In vitro, inhibition of CSE in HMEC-1 reduced tube formation, cell viability/proliferation, and migration which was restored after culture in the presence of H2S donor GYY4137. CSE is expressed in intraplaque microvessels, and H2S is a stimulator of micro-angiogenesis in vitro. Due to this pro-angiogenic effect, high levels of CSE in atherosclerotic plaques may be a potential risk for plaque vulnerability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Medical Biology - Division of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen. Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: van den Born
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Medical Biology - Division of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen. Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mencke
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Medical Biology - Division of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen. Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conroy
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery - Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen. Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Zeebregts
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Medical Biology - Division of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen. Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Goor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Medical Biology - Division of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen. Hanzeplein 1 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hillebrands
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase