Objective

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) result from dysregulated remodeling of the vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) which may occur as a result of altered resident cellular function. The present study tested the hypothesis that aortic fibroblasts undergo a stable change in cellular phenotype during TAA formation.

Methods

Primary murine aortic fibroblasts were isolated from normal and TAA-induced aortas (4-wks post-induction with 0.5M CaCl2 15 min) by outgrowth method. Normal and TAA cultures were examined using a focused PCR array to determine fibroblast-specific changes in gene expression in the absence and presence of biological stimulation (endothelin-1, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, angiotensin II). The relative expression of 38 genes, normalized to 4 housekeeping genes, was determined and genes displaying a minimum 2-fold increase/decrease or genes with significantly different normalized Ct values were considered to have altered expression.

Results

At steady state TAA fibroblasts revealed elevated expression of several MMPs (Mmp2, Mmp11, Mmp14), collagen genes/elastin (Col1a1, Col1a2, Col3a1, Eln), and other matrix proteins, as well as decreased expression of Mmp3, Timp3, and Ltbp1. Moreover, gene expression profiles in TAA fibroblasts were different than normal fibroblasts after equivalent biological stimuli.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated for the first time that isolated primary aortic fibroblasts from TAA-induced mice possess a unique and stable gene expression profile, and when challenged with biological stimuli, induce a transcriptional response that is different from normal aortic fibroblasts. Together, these data suggest that aortic fibroblasts undergo a stable phenotypic change during TAA development which may drive the enhancement of ECM proteolysis in TAA progression.

Background

Disruption of the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and MMP inhibitors (TIMPs) within a myocardial infarct (MI) contribute to left ventricular (LV) wall thinning and changes in regional stiffness at the MI region. This study tested the hypothesis that a targeted regional approach through localized high frequency stimulation (LHFS) using low amplitude electrical pulses instituted within a formed MI scar would alter MMP/TIMP levels and prevent MI thinning.

Methods/Results

At 3 wks following MI, pigs were randomized for LHFS (n=7, 240bpm, 0.8V, 0.05ms pulses) or unstimulated (UNSTIM, n=10). At 4 wks post-MI, LV wall thickness (echo, 0.89±0.07 vs 0.67±0.08 cm, p<0.05) and regional stiffness (piezoelectric crystals, 14.70±2.08 vs 9.11±1.24, p<0.05) were higher with LHFS than UNSTIM. In vivo interstitial MMP activity (fluorescent substrate cleavage, 943±59 vs 1210±72 units, p<0.05) in the MI region was lower with LHFS than in UNSTIM. In the MI region, MMP-2 levels were lower, while TIMP-1 and collagen levels were higher with LHFS than in UNSTIM (all p<0.05). Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor 1 and phosphorylated SMAD-2/3 levels within the MI region were higher with LHFS than in UNSTIM. Electrical stimulation (4Hz) of isolated fibroblasts resulted in a reduction of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP levels, but increased TIMP-1 levels compared to unstimulated fibroblasts.

Conclusions

These unique findings demonstrate that LHFS of the MI region altered LV wall thickness and material properties, likely due to reduced regional MMP activity. Thus, LHFS may provide a novel means to favorably modify LV remodeling post-MI.

Objective

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the aggressive course of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there are a large number of MMP subtypes with diverse proteolytic substrates and different induction pathways. This study tested the hypothesis that a differential MMP profile would exist between NSCLC and normal lung and that MMP patterns would differ between NSCLC histologic type.

Methods

NSCLC samples and remote normal samples were obtained from patients with stage I or II NSCLC with either squamous cell (n=22) or adenocarcinoma (n=19) histology. Absolute concentrations for each of the MMP subclasses; collagenases (MMP-1, 8, -13), gelatinases (MMP-2,-9), lysins (MMP-2, -7) and elastase (MMP-12) were determined by a calibrated and validated multiplex suspension array.

Results

Overall, MMP levels were significantly increased in NSCLC compared to normal. For example, MMP-1 and MMP-7 increased by approximately 10 fold in NSCLC (p<0.05). Moreover, a different MMP portfolio was observed between NSCLC histologic types. For example MMP-1,-8,-9 and -12 increased by over 4-fold in squamous cell versus adenocarcinoma (p<0.05). In those patients who recurred within 3 years of resection, 3-fold higher levels of MMP-8 and -9 were observed (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Increased levels of a number of MMP types occur with NSCLC, but the MMP profile was distinctly different between histologic types and in those patients with recurrence. These different MMP profiles may be important in the mechanistic basis for the natural history of different NSCLC types, as well as identifying potential prognostic and therapeutic targets.