Overexpression of interleukin-1beta and interferon-gamma in type I thoracic aortic dissections and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms: possible correlation with matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and apoptosis of aortic media cells.

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of interleukin-1beta and interferon-gamma and their possible roles in aortic dissections and aneurysms. METHODS: Aortic specimens were obtained from patients with type I thoracic aortic dissection, ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms, and control organ donors. The expression of interleukin-1beta, interferon-gamma, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and signal transduction factors phospho-p38 and phosphorylated c-jun N-terminal kinase (phospho-JNK) were detected by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to detect apoptosis of media cells. The correlation of these factors and apoptosis was also studied. RESULTS: Apoptosis in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms was dramatically higher than in the control group. The expression of interleukin-1beta gradually increased from the control group, thoracic aortic dissection to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (p < 0.01, respectively). The expression of interferon-gamma and matrix metalloproteinase-9 was significantly increased in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms compared with the control group (p < 0.01, respectively). There were positive correlations between interleukin-1beta versus matrix metalloproteinase-9, interleukin-1beta versus phospho-p38 in thoracic aortic dissection (p < 0.01, respectively), and interferon-gamma versus matrix metalloproteinase-9, interferon-gamma versus phospho-JNK, interferon-gamma versus apoptosis, and interleukin-1beta versus apoptosis in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (p = 0.02, 0.02, p < 0.01, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-1beta and interferon-gamma might effect the formation of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms possibly through the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and the apoptosis of media cells in humans.