Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 2001;104:1899-1904
doi: 10.1161/hc4101.097419
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Herman, M. P.
Right arrow Articles by Schönbeck, U.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Herman, M. P.
Right arrow Articles by Schönbeck, U.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH
Related Collections
Right arrow Pathophysiology
Right arrow Functional genomics
Right arrow Genomics
Right arrow Growth factors/cytokines
Right arrow Acute coronary syndromes

(Circulation. 2001;104:1899.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.


Clinical Investigation and Reports

Expression of Neutrophil Collagenase (Matrix Metalloproteinase-8) in Human Atheroma

A Novel Collagenolytic Pathway Suggested by Transcriptional Profiling

Michael P. Herman, BA*; Galina K. Sukhova, PhD*; Peter Libby, MD; Norbert Gerdes, BS; Nga Tang, BS; Daniel B. Horton, BS; Meagan Kilbride, BA; Roger E. Breitbart, MD; Miyoung Chun, MD; Uwe Schönbeck, PhD

From The Leducq Center for Cardiovascular Research (M.P.H., G.K.S., P.L., N.G., D.B.H., M.K., U.S.), Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass, and Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc (N.T., R.E.B., M.C.), Cambridge, Mass.

Correspondence to Uwe Schöbeck, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave, LMRC 309, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail uschoenbeck{at}rics.bwh.harvard.edu


*    Abstract
up arrowTop
*Abstract
down arrowIntroduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Background— Loss of interstitial collagen, particularly type I collagen, the major load-bearing molecule of atherosclerotic plaques, renders atheroma prone to rupture. Initiation of collagen breakdown requires interstitial collagenases, a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) subfamily consisting of MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-13. Previous work demonstrated the overexpression of MMP-1 and MMP-13 in human atheroma. However, no study has yet evaluated the expression of MMP-8, known as "neutrophil collagenase," the enzyme that preferentially degrades type I collagen, because granulocytes do not localize in plaques.

Methods and Results— Transcriptional profiling and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed inducible expression of MMP-8 transcripts in CD40 ligand–stimulated mononuclear phagocytes. Western blot analysis demonstrated that 3 atheroma-associated cell types, namely, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and mononuclear phagocytes, expressed MMP-8 in vitro upon stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-{alpha}, or CD40 ligand. MMP-8 protein elaborated from these atheroma-associated cell types migrated as 2 immunoreactive bands, corresponding to the molecular weights of the zymogen and the active molecule. Extracts from atherosclerotic, but not nondiseased arterial tissue, contained similar immunoreactive bands. Moreover, all 3 cell types expressed MMP-8 mRNA and protein in human atheroma in situ. Notably, MMP-8 colocalized with cleaved but not intact type I collagen within the shoulder region of the plaque, a frequent site of rupture.

Conclusions— These data point to MMP-8 as a previously unsuspected participant in collagen breakdown, an important determinant of the vulnerability of human atheroma.


Key Words: atherosclerosis • collagen • metalloproteinases • inflammation


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
*Introduction
down arrowMethods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Rupture of atherosclerotic lesions triggers most acute clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction or stroke.1 Previous studies established thinning and weakening of the fibrous cap as the mechanism that renders atheroma prone to rupture.2,3 Stability of the fibrous cap depends primarily on the content of intact interstitial type I collagen, the major load-bearing molecule.4 Indeed, plaques with histopathological hallmarks of vulnerability exhibit enhanced collagenolysis, a process associated with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

See p 1878

Interstitial collagen fibrils resist degradation by most proteinases. Only interstitial collagenases I (MMP-1), II (MMP-8), and III (MMP-13) can initiate the breakdown of intact, triple-helical collagen, degrading types I, II, and III collagen into one-quarter and three-quarter fragments. Although collagenases have overlapping substrate specificities, MMP-1 and MMP-13 preferentially cleave type III and II collagen,510respectively. MMP-8, however, degrades type I collagen 3 times more potently than MMP-1 or MMP-13.1114 After this initial cleavage, fibrillar collagen fragments become susceptible to further degradation by various MMPs overexpressed in atheroma, eg, MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9.510

Many cell types, including endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and macrophages (MØs), can express both MMP-1 and MMP-13.57,10 However, only polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) have been considered capable of expressing MMP-8. Originally cloned from mRNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of a patient with chronic granulocytic leukemia, and later described in the postpartum murine uterus, this member of the MMP family was dubbed "neutrophil collagenase."15,16 In contrast with most MMP family members, PMN precursors synthesize MMP-8 early during differentiation and store the zymogen within special granules, which are released on PMN activation.17,18 Numerous studies have reported a role for MMP-8 in connective tissue turnover in acute inflammatory reactions involving neutrophils.17,1921

We and others previously reported expression of the interstitial collagenases MMP-1 and MMP-13 in ECs, SMCs, and MØs in human and experimental atherosclerosis.5,7,10 We further provided direct evidence for collagenolysis in human atherosclerotic lesions and demonstrated that degraded type I collagen colocalizes with MMP-1 and MMP-13.5 Despite the preference of MMP-8 for type I collagen,11 we and others had neglected a potential role for this MMP in atherogenesis, because atheroma contain few if any neutrophils.22 However, as we report here, transcriptional profiling analysis of in vitro–differentiated peripheral blood monocyte-derived MØs stimulated with CD40 ligand (CD40L), a potent inducer of MMP expression,2325 demonstrated the capacity of these cells to express transcripts for MMP-8. The present study reports the surprising finding that atheroma-associated ECs, SMCs, and mononuclear phagocytes express the "neutrophil" collagenase MMP-8 in vitro and in situ.


*    Methods
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
*Methods
down arrowResults
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Materials
Human recombinant interleukin (IL)-1ß and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-{alpha} were obtained from Endogen, Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS) from Sigma, and recombinant human MMP-8 and CD40L from Chemicon and Leinco Technologies, respectively.

Cell Isolation and Culture
Human vascular ECs and SMCs were isolated from saphenous veins by collagenase treatment (1 mg/mL; Worthington Biochemicals) and explant outgrowth, respectively, and were cultured as described previously.5,25 Mononuclear phagocytes were isolated from freshly prepared human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by density gradient centrifugation with lymphocyte separation medium (Organon-Teknika) and subsequent adherence to plastic culture flasks. Mononuclear phagocytes were used directly (monocytes) for the experiments or cultured for 1, 3, or 11 days (MØs) in RPMI 1640 containing 2% human serum (Sigma). The purity of monocytes/MØs wasG92%, as determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis (anti-human CD68 mAb FITC, PharMingen). Before (24 hours) and during stimulation, all 3 cell types were cultured in medium lacking serum, as described previously.5,25

PMNs were obtained from peripheral blood by venipuncture into 0.1 vol of sodium citrate anticoagulant (Sigma) with neutrophil isolation media (Cardinal Assoc) and were kindly provided by Dr M. Glogauer (Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass). The preparation containedG95% neutrophils as determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining.

RNA Isolation, Transcriptional Profiling, and Reverse Transcription–Polymerase Chain Reaction
Total RNA was isolated from ECs, SMCs, or in vitro–differentiated peripheral blood monocyte-derived MØs with RNazol (Tel-Test) and was reverse transcribed (Superscript Reverse Transcriptase; GibcoBRL) to obtain either the oligo-dT30 primed,[{alpha}33P]dCTP-labeled first-strand cDNA probe for microarray analysis or the cDNA templates for reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Hybridization experiments were performed on a custom DNA array, MPG version 4.1, composed of 6144 human cDNA clones. Quadruplicate filters per probe were prehybridized (65°C, 1 hour) in 10% formamide-Church buffer containing salmon sperm DNA (10 mg/mL) and subsequently hybridized (18 hours) with the respective probe. Filters were washed twice (65°C, 15 minutes) with 2x SSC/1% SDS and 0.1x SSC/0.5% SDS, respectively, rinsed in 2x SSC, and baked (2 hours, 85°C). Finally, dried filters were exposed on phosphoimaging plates (Fuji-Film), and median intensity+SD for each probe in quadruplicate was calculated. Treatment with CD40L was compared with the respective time point of untreated control.

For RT-PCR analysis, cDNA templates (1 µL) were mixed with the respective primer pair (sense: 5'-GGAAACCCCAAG-TGGGAACG-3'; antisense: 5'-CCTGAAAGCATAGTTGG-GATACATCAAGGC-3'; 0.2 µmol/L each) in 50 µL of total reaction mixture (MgCl2 1.5 mmol/L, dNTPs 0.2 mmol/L, platinum Taq DNA polymerase 2.5 U, and 5 µL of PCR buffer). The PCR reaction mix was applied to 35 cycles at 94°C (1 minute), 55°C (1 minute), and 72°C (1.5 minutes). Aliquots of the PCR product (expected size 417 bp) were run on 1.5% agarose gels and visualized by ultraviolet transillumination. RT reaction products obtained in the absence of RT, as well as H2O, were used as mock controls.

Western Blot Analysis
Tissue extracts (50 µg of total protein per lane) obtained from frozen nonatherosclerotic (n=3) and atheromatous human carotid arteries and aortas (n=6), dichotomized a priori into fibrous (stable; n=3) and atheromatous (unstable; n=3) plaques by morphological criteria,5 as well as culture lysates (50 µg of total protein per lane) and supernatants (50 µL), were separated by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and applied to Western blot analysis as described previously5,25 with the respective primary (rabbit anti-human MMP-8; Chemicon) and secondary antibody. Immunoreactive proteins were visualized by the Western blot chemiluminescence system (NEN). Data were validated in additional experiments that used antibodies of different origin (mouse anti-human MMP-8; Calbiochem) and antibodies preincubated (18 hours, 4°C) with trypsin-activated recombinant human MMP-8 (5 µg/mL; Chemicon).

In Situ Hybridization
In situ hybridization was performed according to the instructions of the manufacturer (Biogenex). Frozen tissue sections of nonatherosclerotic tissue (n=3) and atheromatous plaque (n=3) specimen were fixed in cold acetone, air dried, and incubated (10 minutes, 65°C; subsequently 2 hours, 37°C) with a mixture of FITC-labeled MMP-8 (5'-TCGACAGTCTCCGACTCCATCTTTCTCGAT-3'; 5'-CGGAACGACAGAGG GTTGATACGAAAGTCC-3'; 5'-TTG-TATGAAGAAACATTTACTGGTTAAGAC-3'; 5'-TCTTGATCTAAAACCAATCTTCATTCCTAA-3') or random (control) oligomers in hybridization buffer (30% formamide, 0.6 mol/L NaCl2, 10% dextran sulfate, 50 mmol/L Tris, pH 7.5; 0.1% sodium pyrophosphate, 0.2% Ficoll, and 5 mmol/L EDTA). Finally, slides were washed 3 times and stained with alkaline phosphatase–conjugated rabbit Fab‘ anti-FITC (30 minutes) and NBT/BCIP chromogen solution (1 hour).

Immunohistochemistry
Serial cryostat sections (5 µm) of surgical specimens of 3 nonatherosclerotic aortas and carotid arteries and 6 atheromatous carotid plaques, dichotomized into stable (n=3) and vulnerable (n=3) plaques (all obtained from different donors) by morphological criteria as described previously,5 were cut, air dried onto microscope slides, fixed in acetone (-20°C, 5 minutes), and preincubated with PBS containing 0.3% hydrogen peroxide. Subsequently, sections were incubated (30 minutes) with primary (rabbit anti-human MMP-8, Chemicon) or control (rabbit Ig, Jackson Immunoresearch) antibody and processed according to the suppliers’ recommendations (LSAB Kit, Dako Co). For control purposes, staining was validated in additional experiments with an anti-MMP-8 antibody of different origin (mouse anti-human-MMP-8; Calbiochem; and mouse myeloma protein MOPC-21, Sigma).

For colocalization of MMP-8 with the respective cell type, anti-human MMP-8 antibody (1:400) was applied (90 minutes), followed by biotinylated secondary antibody (45 minutes) and Texas red–conjugated streptavidin (Amersham; 20 minutes). After application of the avidin/biotin blocking kit (Vector Laboratories), anti-muscle actin monoclonal antibody (mAb) for SMCs (1:200; Enzo Diagnostics), anti-CD31 mAb for ECs (1:35, Dako), or anti-CD68 mAb for MØs (1:500, Dako) was added and sections were incubated overnight (4°C). Subsequently, biotinylated horse anti-mouse secondary antibodies were applied (45 minutes), followed by streptavidin-FITC (Amersham; 20 minutes). Staining of type I and type III collagen used Picrosirius red, as described previously.5 Cleaved interstitial type I collagen was detected by staining with a polyclonal rabbit antibody reactive with the COL3/4Cshort neoepitope, kindly provided by Dr Robin Poole (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada).5

For immunofluorescence double labeling for MMP-8 with cleaved or intact type I collagen, frozen sections were treated as described above, with rabbit anti-human COL3/4Cshort or mouse anti-human type I collagen antibody (90 minutes) as the first antibody and mouse anti-human MMP-8 antibody (overnight, 4°C) as the second antibody. Nuclei were stained with bisbenzimide (Calbiochem).


*    Results
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
*Results
down arrowDiscussion
down arrowReferences
 
Expression of MMP-8 in Human Atheroma-Associated Cells In Vitro
Transcriptional profiling demonstrated that stimulation of mononuclear phagocytes with CD40L enhanced the expression of MMP-8 transcript (Figure 1). RT-PCR revealed expression of MMP-8 transcripts in MØs, vascular SMCs (both Figure 1), and ECs (data not shown) only after stimulation, eg, via CD40L. In accord with the mRNA data, unstimulated cultures of ECs, SMCs, and mononuclear phagocytes expressed minimal or no MMP-8 protein constitutively (Figure 2). However, stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines, eg, IL-1ß or CD40L (Figure 2), as well as TNF-{alpha} or LPS (data not shown), induced expression and release of immunoreactive MMP-8 in all 3 cell types. Atheroma-associated cells released 2 major MMP-8 protein species that migrated at {approx}75 and 55 kDa, corresponding to the latent and active forms of this enzyme, respectively. EC culture supernatants expressed only a single band at {approx}75 kDa. In contrast, PMNs constitutively expressed cell-associated MMP-8, the release of which required stimulation. In addition to previously described inducers of secretion, we demonstrate here that ligation of CD40 on PMN triggers release of this collagenase.



View larger version (34K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Human monocyte-derived macrophages express MMP-8 mRNA upon stimulation. Total RNA preparations were obtained from unstimulated (None), CD40L- (10 µg/mL), or LPS- (1 µg/ml) stimulated macrophages (MØ, derived from mononuclear phagocytes by 10-day culture) and were applied to transcriptional profiling analysis on microarrays (left) or RT-PCR (right). The median intensity values are given for each probe in quadruplicate. Error bars represent standard deviation. Comparable data were obtained with cells from 3 different donors.



View larger version (39K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. Atheroma-associated proinflammatory cytokines induce expression of MMP-8 protein in human vascular ECs, SMCs, and MØs. Culture supernatants (SN, top) or lysates (50 µg; bottom) were obtained from unstimulated (None), IL-1ß–stimulated (10 ng/mL; 24 hours), or CD40L-stimulated (10 µg/mL; 24 hours) ECs, SMCs, monocyte-derived MØs, or PMNs and were analyzed by Western blotting for expression of MMP-8 immunoreactive proteins. Recombinant human MMP-8 precursor (50 ng; Rec MMP-8) was applied for control purposes. Positions of molecular weight markers are indicated on left. Comparable data were obtained with cells from at least 3 different donors and with a separate MMP-8 antibody obtained from a different species (mouse anti-human MMP-8; data not shown).

Because MØs constitute a major source of matrix-degrading proteinases, particularly interstitial collagenases within human atheroma,5,7 we further analyzed whether differentiation of freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear phagocytes into monocyte-derived MØs affected the expression of MMP-8. Freshly isolated mononuclear phagocytes did not release MMP-8, even when stimulated with IL-1ß or CD40L (Figure 3). However, culture for 11 days yielded low basal expression of MMP-8, which increased substantially on stimulation with either IL-1ß or CD40L.



View larger version (28K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. Enhanced MMP-8 expression during differentiation of mononuclear phagocytes. Culture supernatants of unstimulated (-), IL-1ß–stimulated (10 ng/mL, 24 hours; top), or CD40L-stimulated (10 µg/mL, 24 hours; bottom) mononuclear phagocytes cultured for 0, 1, 3, or 11 days were analyzed by Western blotting for expression of immunoreactive MMP-8. Arrows on left indicate positions of molecular weight markers; + indicates stimulated. Comparable data were obtained with cells from 3 different donors.

Expression of MMP-8 in Human Atheroma-Associated Cells In Situ
Given the inducibility of MMP-8 expression in atheroma-associated cells in vitro, we tested whether ECs, SMCs, and MØs within human atherosclerotic lesions express MMP-8 transcripts and protein in situ. In contrast to unaffected arteries, human atheroma expressed MMP-8 mRNA abundantly (Figure 4). MMP-8 localized in the MØ-enriched shoulder, the SMC-enriched fibrous cap, and the overlying endothelium. MMP-8 transcript expression corresponded to MMP-8 protein localization in atherosclerotic but not in nondiseased arteries (Figure 5). Like its mRNA, MMP-8 protein accumulated predominantly within the atheromatous shoulder region, a frequent site of plaque rupture. Immunofluorescence double labeling formally demonstrated colocalization of the enzyme with all 3 atheroma-associated cell types, namely, ECs, SMCs, and MØs (Figure 6).



View larger version (83K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. Transcripts for MMP-8 localize in human atherosclerotic lesions. Serial cryostat sections from nonatherosclerotic aortas (Normal; top left) and atherosclerotic carotid atheroma (top middle) were analyzed for MMP-8 transcript expression by in situ hybridization. Higher magnifications demonstrated localization of MMP-8 transcripts within luminal endothelium (bottom right), SMC-enriched fibrous cap (bottom middle), and MØ-enriched shoulder region (bottom left). Scrambled oligomers of identical size were used as negative control (top right). Analysis of nondiseased arteries and surgical specimens of atheroma from 3 different donors showed similar results.



View larger version (113K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5. Enhanced expression of MMP-8 protein in human atherosclerotic lesions. Serial cryostat sections from nonatherosclerotic aortas (Normal; left) and atherosclerotic carotid atheroma, dichotomized by features associated with either stable (middle) or vulnerable (right) lesions, were analyzed for expression of MMP-8 (top), as well as smooth muscle {alpha}-actin (SMC; middle) or CD68 (MØs; bottom). Analysis of 3 nondiseased arteries, as well as 3 stable and vulnerable surgical specimens of atheroma obtained from different donors, showed similar results.



View larger version (76K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 6. MMP-8 colocalizes with human vascular ECs, SMCs, and MØs in human atherosclerotic lesions. Double-immunofluorescence staining was used to colocalize MMP-8 (red) with ECs (anti-CD31), SMCs (anti-{alpha}-actin), or macrophages (MØ, anti-CD68) within atherosclerotic plaques. Analysis of surgical specimens of atheroma from 3 different donors showed similar results.

Interestingly, advanced atherosclerotic lesions characterized by features associated with rupture-prone plaques, eg, a large lipid core and a thin fibrous cap, expressed more immunoreactive MMP-8 than did plaques with more stable morphology or nonatherosclerotic tissue, as determined by Western blot analysis of protein extracts (Figure 7). Analysis of these samples with anti-MMP-8 antibody preincubated with the recombinant protein substantially diminished band intensities, which supports the specificity of the antibody. Semiquantitative analysis with recombinant human MMP-8 used as a standard revealed an approximate concentration of 350 ng of total immunoreactive MMP-8 per milligram of tissue in atherosclerotic lesions, levels similar to those obtained for MMP-1 and MMP-13.5 These comparisons, however, account for neither varying antibody affinities nor local accumulation of the enzyme within distinct microenvironments of the plaque, and thus their interpretations require caution. MMP-8 colocalized with the three-quarter-length type I collagen breakdown products and demonstrated an inverse correlation between the enzyme and intact type I collagen (Figure 8), which implicates MMP-8 in the processes underlying collagenolysis within the atheromatous plaque.



View larger version (20K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 7. Enhanced expression of MMP-8 protein in human atherosclerotic lesions. Protein extracts (50 µg) obtained from frozen tissue of 3 different donors of nonatherosclerotic carotid arteries (Normal), as well as carotid plaques, dichotomized into lesions characterized by features associated with stable or vulnerable plaques, were analyzed by Western blotting with either anti-MMP-8 antibody alone (left) or MMP-8 antibody preincubated with recombinant MMP-8 (5 mg/mL, recMMP-8; right). Positions of molecular weight markers are indicated on left.



View larger version (77K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 8. MMP-8 colocalizes with cleaved type I collagen in human atherosclerotic lesions. A, Picrosirius red staining (left) localized collagen expression within the SMC-enriched area (right) of atherosclerotic lesions. B, Immunofluorescence double labeling colocalized MMP-8 (green) with cleaved, three-quarter-length collagen fragments and demonstrated inverse correlation of enzyme with intact type I collagen within shoulder region of atherosclerotic plaques. Analysis of surgical specimens of atheroma from 2 different donors showed similar results.


*    Discussion
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
*Discussion
down arrowReferences
 
Degradation of extracellular matrix macromolecules, particularly interstitial type I collagen, the major load-bearing molecule within the fibrous cap of the plaque, promotes the evolution of atherosclerotic lesions toward vulnerable, rupture-prone plaques.5,6 Previous studies implicated MMPs in these degradative processes.510 Indeed, our group recently provided direct evidence for MMP-mediated cleavage of type I collagen within the shoulder region of human atheroma, a frequent site of rupture characterized by elevated expression of the interstitial collagenases I (MMP-1) and III (MMP-13).57,10 MMP-8 exhibits 3-fold greater enzymatic activity against type I collagen than the other interstitial collagenases, which probably makes it the most efficient type I collagenolytic enzyme in humans.1114,26

We and others previously neglected the possible role of MMP-8 in atherogenesis in light of its traditional attribution as a product of neutrophils, a cell type not commonly observed in atheroma.22 The unbiased survey afforded by transcriptional profiling pointed to a potential role of this enzyme in atherogenesis, despite its nomenclature. Our surprising finding that ECs, SMCs, and MØs within human atherosclerotic lesions express MMP-8 affirms that the expression of this interstitial collagenase extends beyond a single cell type. Recent reports suggesting expression of MMP-8 by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts and ECs, as well as articular chondrocytes, and the observation that murine tissue not typically associated with PMN infiltration, such as kidney and muscle tissue, also expressed this enzyme support this finding.16,19,20,27 The cytokine-induced expression of MMP-8 in ECs, SMCs, and MØs differs from the release pattern in the traditional source, the neutrophil, which stores MMP-8 zymogen in granules and releases the collagenase almost immediately on stimulation.17,18 Thus, whereas MMP-8 release can occur immediately in acute inflammation associated with PMN infiltration, MMP-8 synthesis and release by ECs, SMCs, and MØs at sites of chronic inflammation, such as atheroma, requires prolonged exposure to proinflammatory cytokines. In view of the role of hypochlorous acid in MMP-8 activation, it is noteworthy that a subpopulation of MØs in advanced (but not early) atherosclerotic lesions contain myeloperoxidase, the enzyme responsible for hypochlorous acid production.17,28,29 Thus, expression of MMP-8 and its activator myeloperoxidase likely occurs contemporaneously during the differentiation of monocyte-derived MØs in vitro and in atherosclerotic lesion development in situ. Heightened expression of MMP-8 by MØs compared with monocytes agrees with previous reports on other MMPs.30,31

The localization of the 55-kDa form of MMP-8 in atheroma corresponding to the active form of the enzyme and its colocalization with cleaved rather than intact type I collagen underscore the relevance of our findings to atherosclerosis and its acute clinical sequelae, such as plaque rupture and thrombosis. Degradation of type I collagen likely leads to thinning of the fibrous cap of plaques, a characteristic of the vulnerable, rupture-prone plaque.6 Accordingly, MMP-8 concentrations in lesions prone to rupture exceed those in lesions with a more stable phenotype. Previous studies suggesting that the collagenolytic activity found at some sites of chronic inflammation, such as periodontitis, derives from MMP-8 rather than the other interstitial collagenases further support the potential relevance of this enzyme in plaque destabilization.21

The surprising finding that human vascular ECs, SMCs, and MØs express the interstitial collagenase MMP-8 in vitro on stimulation and in situ in atherosclerotic lesions not only broadens knowledge of the expression pattern of this "neutrophil collagenase" but further suggests a novel pathological role of MMP-8. Designing MMP inhibitors of restricted specificity may obviate some of the toxicity encountered in clinical trials of broad-spectrum agents. The present identification of a likely role for MMP-8 in atherogenesis thus has practical therapeutic and theoretic implications.


*    Acknowledgments
 
This study was supported in part by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL-56985) and by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. We thank Eugenia Shvartz, Anna Papautsky, and Elissa Simon-Morrissey (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) for skillful technical assistance, Karen Williams for editorial assistance, and Drs Robin Poole (McGill University) and M. Glogauer (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) for providing us with the anti-collagen antibody and PMN, respectively.


*    Footnotes
 
*The first 2 authors contributed equally to this work. Back

Received July 6, 2001; revision received August 3, 2001; accepted August 7, 2001.


*    References
up arrowTop
up arrowAbstract
up arrowIntroduction
up arrowMethods
up arrowResults
up arrowDiscussion
*References
 
1. Fuster V, Badimon I, Badimon JJ, et al. The pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and the acute coronary syndromes. N Engl J Med. 1992; 326: 242–250.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

2. Davies MJ, Richardson PD, Woolf N, et al. Risk of thrombosis in human atherosclerotic plaques: role of extracellular lipid, macrophage, and smooth muscle cell content. Br Heart J. 1993; 69: 377–381.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

3. Moreno PR, Falk E, Palacios IF, et al. Macrophage infiltration in acute coronary syndromes: implications for plaque rupture. Circulation. 1994; 90: 775–778.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

4. Smith E. The influence of age and atherosclerosis on the chemistry of aortic intima. J Atheroscler Res. 1965; 5: 241–248.

5. Sukhova GK, Schonbeck U, Rabkin E, et al. Evidence for increased collagenolysis by interstitial collagenases-1 and -3 in vulnerable human atheromatous plaques. Circulation. 1999; 99: 2503–2509.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

6. Rekhter M, Zhang K, Narayanan A, et al. Type I collagen gene expression in human atherosclerosis: localization to specific plaque regions. Am J Pathol. 1993; 143: 1634–1648.[Abstract]

7. Nikkari ST, O’Brien KD, Ferguson M, et al. Interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) expression in human carotid atherosclerosis. Circulation. 1995; 92: 1393–1398.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

8. Brown DL, Hibbs MS, Kearney M, et al. Identification of 92-kD gelatinase in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions: association of active enzyme synthesis with unstable angina. Circulation. 1995; 91: 2125–2131.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

9. Henney AM, Wakeley PR, Davies MJ, et al. Localization of stromelysin gene expression in atherosclerotic plaques by in situ hybridization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1991; 88: 8154–8158.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

10. Galis Z, Sukhova G, Lark M, et al. Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases and matrix degrading activity in vulnerable regions of human atherosclerotic plaques. J Clin Invest. 1994; 94: 2493–2503.

11. Knauper V, Lopez-Otin C, Smith B, et al. Biochemical characterization of human collagenase-3. J Biol Chem. 1996; 271: 1544–1550.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

12. Horwitz AL, Hance AJ, Crystal RG. Granulocyte collagenase: selective digestion of type I relative to type III collagen. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977; 74: 897–901.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

13. Hasty KA, Jeffrey JJ, Hibbs MS, et al. The collagen substrate specificity of human neutrophil collagenase. J Biol Chem. 1987; 262: 10048–10052.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

14. Welgus HG, Jeffrey JJ, Eisen AZ. The collagen substrate specificity of human skin fibroblast collagenase. J Biol Chem. 1981; 256: 9511–9515.[Free Full Text]

15. Hasty KA, Pourmotabbed TF, Goldberg GI, et al. Human neutrophil collagenase: a distinct gene product with homology to other matrix metalloproteinases. J Biol Chem. 1990; 265: 11421–11424.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

16. Balbin M, Fueyo A, Knauper V, et al. Collagenase 2 (MMP-8) expression in murine tissue-remodeling processes: analysis of its potential role in postpartum involution of the uterus. J Biol Chem. 1998; 273: 23959–23968.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

17. Weiss SJ, Peppin G, Ortiz X, et al. Oxidative autoactivation of latent collagenase by human neutrophils. Science. 1985; 227: 747–749.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

18. Hasty KA, Hibbs MS, Kang AH, et al. Secreted forms of human neutrophil collagenase. J Biol Chem. 1986; 261: 5645–5650.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

19. Hanemaaijer R, Sorsa T, Konttinen YT, et al. Matrix metalloproteinase-8 is expressed in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts and endothelial cells: regulation by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and doxycycline. J Biol Chem. 1997; 272: 31504–31509.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

20. Cole AA, Chubinskaya S, Schumacher B, et al. Chondrocyte matrix metalloproteinase-8: human articular chondrocytes express neutrophil collagenase. J Biol Chem. 1996; 271: 11023–11026.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

21. Lee W, Aitken S, Sodek J, et al. Evidence of a direct relationship between neutrophil collagenase activity and periodontal tissue destruction in vivo: role of active enzyme in human periodontitis. J Periodontal Res. 1995; 30: 23–33.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

22. Glass CK, Witztum JL. Atherosclerosis: the road ahead. Cell. 2001; 104: 503–516.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

23. Malik N, Greenfield BW, Wahl AF, et al. Activation of human monocytes through CD40 induces matrix metalloproteinases. J Immunol. 1996; 156: 3952–3960.[Abstract]

24. Mach F, Schönbeck U, Fabunmi RP, et al. T lymphocytes induce endothelial cell matrix metalloproteinase expression by a CD40L-dependent mechanism: implications for tubule formation. Am J Pathol. 1999; 154: 229–238.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

25. Schönbeck U, Mach F, Sukhova GK, et al. Expression of stromelysin-3 in atherosclerotic lesions: regulation via CD40-CD40 ligand signaling in vitro and in vivo. J Exp Med. 1999; 189: 843–853.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

26. Mitchell PG, Magna HA, Reeves LM, et al. Cloning, expression, and type II collagenolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-13 from human osteoarthritic cartilage. J Clin Invest. 1996; 97: 761–768.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

27. Bachmeier BE, Nerlich AG, Boukamp P, et al. Human keratinocyte cell lines differ in the expression of the collagenolytic matrix metalloproteinases-1, -8, and -13 and of TIMP-1. Biol Chem. 2000; 381: 509–516.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]

28. Daugherty A, Dunn JL, Rateri DL, et al. Myeloperoxidase, a catalyst for lipoprotein oxidation, is expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions. J Clin Invest. 1994; 94: 437–444.

29. Sugiyama S, Okada Y, Sukhova GK, et al. Macrophage myeloperoxidase regulation by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human atherosclerosis and implications in acute coronary syndromes. Am J Pathol. 2001; 158: 879–891.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

30. Busiek DF, Ross FP, McDonnell S, et al. The matrix metalloprotease matrilysin (PUMP) is expressed in developing human mononuclear phagocytes. J Biol Chem. 1992; 267: 9087–9092.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

31. Pagenstecher A, Stalder AK, Kincaid CL, et al. Regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitor genes in lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia in mice. Am J Pathol. 2000; 157: 197–210.[Abstract/Free Full Text]




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
Z. Mallat
Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 and the Regulation of Blood Pressure, Vascular Inflammation, and Atherosclerotic Lesion Growth
Circ. Res., October 23, 2009; 105(9): 827 - 829.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
R. C. Laxton, Y. Hu, J. Duchene, F. Zhang, Z. Zhang, K.-Y. Leung, Q. Xiao, R. S. Scotland, C. P. Hodgkinson, K. Smith, et al.
A Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 in Atherosclerosis
Circ. Res., October 23, 2009; 105(9): 921 - 929.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mayo Clin Proc.Home page
A. Kumar and C. P. Cannon
Acute Coronary Syndromes: Diagnosis and Management, Part I
Mayo Clin. Proc., October 1, 2009; 84(10): 917 - 938.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
M. G. Ionita, A. Vink, I. E. Dijke, J. D. Laman, W. Peeters, P. H. van der Kraak, F. L. Moll, J.-P. P.M. de Vries, G. Pasterkamp, and D. P.V. de Kleijn
High Levels of Myeloid-Related Protein 14 in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Correlate With the Characteristics of Rupture-Prone Lesions
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, August 1, 2009; 29(8): 1220 - 1227.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JNMHome page
S. Ohshima, A. Petrov, S. Fujimoto, J. Zhou, M. Azure, D. S. Edwards, T. Murohara, N. Narula, S. Tsimikas, and J. Narula
Molecular Imaging of Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Atherosclerotic Plaques of Mice Deficient in Apolipoprotein E or Low-Density-Lipoprotein Receptor
J. Nucl. Med., April 1, 2009; 50(4): 612 - 617.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Lipid Res.Home page
P. Libby
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis
J. Lipid Res., April 1, 2009; 50(Supplement): S352 - S357.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
A. C. Newby
Metalloproteinase Expression in Monocytes and Macrophages and its Relationship to Atherosclerotic Plaque Instability
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, December 1, 2008; 28(12): 2108 - 2114.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cancer Res.Home page
A. Gutierrez-Fernandez, A. Fueyo, A. R. Folgueras, C. Garabaya, C. J. Pennington, S. Pilgrim, D. R. Edwards, D. L. Holliday, J. L. Jones, P. N. Span, et al.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Functions as a Metastasis Suppressor through Modulation of Tumor Cell Adhesion and Invasion
Cancer Res., April 15, 2008; 68(8): 2755 - 2763.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
F. Schneider, G. K. Sukhova, M. Aikawa, J. Canner, N. Gerdes, S.-M. T. Tang, G.-P. Shi, S. S. Apte, and P. Libby
Matrix Metalloproteinase-14 Deficiency in Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Promotes Collagen Accumulation in Mouse Atherosclerotic Plaques
Circulation, February 19, 2008; 117(7): 931 - 939.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
A. M. Tuomainen, K. Nyyssonen, J. A. Laukkanen, T. Tervahartiala, T.-P. Tuomainen, J. T. Salonen, T. Sorsa, and P. J. Pussinen
Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Concentrations Are Associated With Cardiovascular Outcome in Men
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, December 1, 2007; 27(12): 2722 - 2728.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Physiol. Rev.Home page
F. G. Spinale
Myocardial Matrix Remodeling and the Matrix Metalloproteinases: Influence on Cardiac Form and Function
Physiol Rev, October 1, 2007; 87(4): 1285 - 1342.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
FASEB J.Home page
A. Gutierrez-Fernandez, M. Inada, M. Balbin, A. Fueyo, A. S. Pitiot, A. Astudillo, K. Hirose, M. Hirata, S. D. Shapiro, A. Noel, et al.
Increased inflammation delays wound healing in mice deficient in collagenase-2 (MMP-8)
FASEB J, August 1, 2007; 21(10): 2580 - 2591.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
P. Libby
Perplexity of Plaque Proteinases
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, October 1, 2006; 26(10): 2181 - 2182.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
K. von Wnuck Lipinski, P. Keul, N. Ferri, S. Lucke, G. Heusch, J. W. Fischer, and B. Levkau
Integrin-Mediated Transcriptional Activation of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins Protects Smooth Muscle Cells Against Apoptosis Induced by Degraded Collagen
Circ. Res., June 23, 2006; 98(12): 1490 - 1497.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
A. C. Newby
Matrix metalloproteinases regulate migration, proliferation, and death of vascular smooth muscle cells by degrading matrix and non-matrix substrates
Cardiovasc Res, February 15, 2006; 69(3): 614 - 624.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
C. M. Dollery and P. Libby
Atherosclerosis and proteinase activation
Cardiovasc Res, February 15, 2006; 69(3): 625 - 635.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
K. von Wnuck Lipinski, P. Keul, S. Lucke, G. Heusch, J. Wohlschlaeger, H. A. Baba, and B. Levkau
Degraded collagen induces calpain-mediated apoptosis and destruction of the X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (xIAP) in human vascular smooth muscle cells
Cardiovasc Res, February 15, 2006; 69(3): 697 - 705.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
W. R. W. Wilson, M. Anderton, E. C. Schwalbe, J. L. Jones, P. N. Furness, P. R.F. Bell, and M. M. Thompson
Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 and -9 Are Increased at the Site of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture
Circulation, January 24, 2006; 113(3): 438 - 445.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
J.-O Deguchi, E. Aikawa, P. Libby, J. R. Vachon, M. Inada, S. M. Krane, P. Whittaker, and M. Aikawa
Matrix Metalloproteinase-13/Collagenase-3 Deletion Promotes Collagen Accumulation and Organization in Mouse Atherosclerotic Plaques
Circulation, October 25, 2005; 112(17): 2708 - 2715.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Leukoc. Biol.Home page
V. C. Mehra, V. S. Ramgolam, and J. R. Bender
Cytokines and cardiovascular disease
J. Leukoc. Biol., October 1, 2005; 78(4): 805 - 818.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
E. Lutgens, B. Faber, K. Schapira, C. T.A. Evelo, R. van Haaften, S. Heeneman, K. B.J.M. Cleutjens, A. P. Bijnens, L. Beckers, J. G. Porter, et al.
Gene Profiling in Atherosclerosis Reveals a Key Role for Small Inducible Cytokines: Validation Using a Novel Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein Monoclonal Antibody
Circulation, June 28, 2005; 111(25): 3443 - 3452.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
U. Bavendiek, A. Zirlik, S. LaClair, L. MacFarlane, P. Libby, and U. Schonbeck
Atherogenesis in Mice Does Not Require CD40 Ligand From Bone Marrow-Derived Cells
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, June 1, 2005; 25(6): 1244 - 1249.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
A. Garcia-Touchard, T. D. Henry, G. Sangiorgi, L. G. Spagnoli, A. Mauriello, C. Conover, and R. S. Schwartz
Extracellular Proteases in Atherosclerosis and Restenosis
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, June 1, 2005; 25(6): 1119 - 1127.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ANGIOLOGYHome page
N. P. Kadoglou, S. S. Daskalopoulou, D. Perrea, and C. D. Liapis
Matrix Metalloproteinases and Diabetic Vascular Complications
Angiology, March 1, 2005; 56(2): 173 - 189.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Physiol. Rev.Home page
A. C. Newby
Dual Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases (Matrixins) in Intimal Thickening and Atherosclerotic Plaque Rupture
Physiol Rev, January 1, 2005; 85(1): 1 - 31.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum Mol GenetHome page
H. Wang, S. Parry, G. Macones, M. D. Sammel, P. E. Ferrand, H. Kuivaniemi, G. Tromp, I. Halder, M. D. Shriver, R. Romero, et al.
Functionally significant SNP MMP8 promoter haplotypes and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)
Hum. Mol. Genet., November 1, 2004; 13(21): 2659 - 2669.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Y. Fukumoto, J.-o Deguchi, P. Libby, E. Rabkin-Aikawa, Y. Sakata, M. T. Chin, C. C. Hill, P. R. Lawler, N. Varo, F. J. Schoen, et al.
Genetically Determined Resistance to Collagenase Action Augments Interstitial Collagen Accumulation in Atherosclerotic Plaques
Circulation, October 5, 2004; 110(14): 1953 - 1959.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Lipid Res.Home page
C. Whatling, H. Bjork, S. Gredmark, A. Hamsten, and P. Eriksson
Effect of macrophage differentiation and exposure to mildly oxidized LDL on the proteolytic repertoire of THP-1 monocytes
J. Lipid Res., September 1, 2004; 45(9): 1768 - 1776.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
N. Kalinina, A. Agrotis, Y. Antropova, O. Ilyinskaya, V. Smirnov, E. Tararak, and A. Bobik
Smad Expression in Human Atherosclerotic Lesions: Evidence for Impaired TGF-{beta}/Smad Signaling in Smooth Muscle Cells of Fibrofatty Lesions
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, August 1, 2004; 24(8): 1391 - 1396.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Z. S. Galis
Vulnerable Plaque: The Devil Is in the Details
Circulation, July 20, 2004; 110(3): 244 - 246.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
K.J. Molloy, M.M. Thompson, J.L. Jones, E.C. Schwalbe, P.R.F. Bell, A.R. Naylor, and I.M. Loftus
Unstable Carotid Plaques Exhibit Raised Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Activity
Circulation, July 20, 2004; 110(3): 337 - 343.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
C. A. Owen, Z. Hu, C. Lopez-Otin, and S. D. Shapiro
Membrane-Bound Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 on Activated Polymorphonuclear Cells Is a Potent, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-Resistant Collagenase and Serpinase
J. Immunol., June 15, 2004; 172(12): 7791 - 7803.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
U. Schonbeck and P. Libby
Inflammation, Immunity, and HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: Statins as Antiinflammatory Agents?
Circulation, June 1, 2004; 109(21_suppl_1): II-18 - II-26.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JDRHome page
S. Apajalahti, T. Sorsa, S. Railavo, and T. Ingman
The in vivo Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and -8 in Gingival Crevicular Fluid during Initial Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Journal of Dental Research, December 1, 2003; 82(12): 1018 - 1022.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
E. Lutgens, R.-J. van Suylen, B. C. Faber, M. J. Gijbels, P. M. Eurlings, A.-P. Bijnens, K. B. Cleutjens, S. Heeneman, and M. J.A.P. Daemen
Atherosclerotic Plaque Rupture: Local or Systemic Process?
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, December 1, 2003; 23(12): 2123 - 2130.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
O. D Defawe, A. Colige, C. A Lambert, C. Munaut, P. Delvenne, C. M Lapiere, R. Limet, B. V Nusgens, and N. Sakalihasan
TIMP-2 and PAI-1 mRNA levels are lower in aneurysmal as compared to athero-occlusive abdominal aortas
Cardiovasc Res, October 15, 2003; 60(1): 205 - 213.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
C. B Jones, D. C Sane, and D. M Herrington
Matrix metalloproteinases: A review of their structure and role in acute coronary syndrome
Cardiovasc Res, October 1, 2003; 59(4): 812 - 823.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
C. M. Dollery, C. A. Owen, G. K. Sukhova, A. Krettek, S. D. Shapiro, and P. Libby
Neutrophil Elastase in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques: Production by Macrophages
Circulation, June 10, 2003; 107(22): 2829 - 2836.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
S. Blankenberg, H. J. Rupprecht, O. Poirier, C. Bickel, M. Smieja, G. Hafner, J. Meyer, F. Cambien, L. Tiret, and for the AtheroGene Investigators
Plasma Concentrations and Genetic Variation of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 and Prognosis of Patients With Cardiovascular Disease
Circulation, April 1, 2003; 107(12): 1579 - 1585.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
M. W. Manning, L. A. Cassis, and A. Daugherty
Differential Effects of Doxycycline, a Broad-Spectrum Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor, on Angiotensin II-Induced Atherosclerosis and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, March 1, 2003; 23(3): 483 - 488.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
P. K. Shah
Mechanisms of plaque vulnerability and rupture
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 19, 2003; 41(4_Suppl_S): 15S - 22S.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
E. Mueller, S. Drori, A. Aiyer, J. Yie, P. Sarraf, H. Chen, S. Hauser, E. D. Rosen, K. Ge, R. G. Roeder, et al.
Genetic Analysis of Adipogenesis through Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor gamma Isoforms
J. Biol. Chem., October 25, 2002; 277(44): 41925 - 41930.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
G. K. Sukhova, J. K. Williams, and P. Libby
Statins Reduce Inflammation in Atheroma of Nonhuman Primates Independent of Effects on Serum Cholesterol
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, September 1, 2002; 22(9): 1452 - 1458.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. Libby and M. Aikawa
Vitamin C, Collagen, and Cracks in the Plaque
Circulation, March 26, 2002; 105(12): 1396 - 1398.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
U. Schonbeck and P. Libby
CD40 Signaling and Plaque Instability
Circ. Res., December 7, 2001; 89(12): 1092 - 1103.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. K. Shah and Z. S. Galis
Matrix Metalloproteinase Hypothesis of Plaque Rupture: Players Keep Piling Up But Questions Remain
Circulation, October 16, 2001; 104(16): 1878 - 1880.
[Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Herman, M. P.
Right arrow Articles by Schönbeck, U.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Herman, M. P.
Right arrow Articles by Schönbeck, U.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH
Related Collections
Right arrow Pathophysiology
Right arrow Functional genomics
Right arrow Genomics
Right arrow Growth factors/cytokines
Right arrow Acute coronary syndromes