title: Differential expression of sex hormone receptors in abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Male sex is a significant risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Female sex hormones have been reported to prevent aneurysm formation in animal models. The study aims to describe the expression profile of sex hormone receptors in the aneurysm wall of men and women with AAA and compare with unaffected controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aneurysm wall biopsies were obtained during elective open repair of AAA in men and women (n=16+16). Aortic vessel wall from controls were obtained at organ donation (n=6). Western blot-, mRNA expression- and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess the expression profile of the sex hormone receptors - androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor α (ERα) and β (ERβ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mRNA- and protein expression levels of AR were higher in AAA compared with control aorta (7.26 vs. 5.14, P=0.001). mRNA- and protein expression levels of ERβ were lower in AAA compared with control aorta (9.15 vs. 12.29, P<0.001). mRNA expression levels of PR were higher in AAA compared with control aorta (8.73 vs. 6.21, P=0.003), but could not be confirmed on protein level. The expression profile of sex hormone receptors in men and women with AAA was similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of sex hormone receptors differs in the aneurysmal aorta compared with unaffected aorta in men and women. A higher expression of AR and a lower expression of ERβ suggest that sex hormone activity could be associated with aneurysm development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: christina.villard@ki.se.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Villard
authors.affiliation: Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Malin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kronqvist
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mariette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lengquist
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplant Surgery, CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jorns
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Rebecka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hultgren
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000737:chemistry; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: C506487:ESR1 protein, human; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone
keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm; Androgen receptor; Estrogen receptor; Gender; Sex hormones