Fatty Acids Modulate the Composition of Extracellular Matrix in Cultured Human Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells by Altering the Expression of Genes for Proteoglycan Core Proteins

摘要

In diabetes-associated microangiopathies and athero- sclerosis, there are alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the intima of small and large arteries. High levels of circulating nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are present in insulin resistance and type 2 dia- betes. High concentrations of NEFAs might alter the basement membrane composition of endothelial cells. In arteries, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the amjor pro- ducers of proteoglycans and glycoproteins in the intima, and this is the site of lipoprotein deposition and modi- fication, key events in atherogenesis.