engleski

The role of regulatory T-cell immunity and enzymes matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Interactions between immune and inflammatory responses may play a crucial role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, as an autoimmune, chronic progressive inflammatory disease. Changes in immunological activity can be induce by many different risk factors and include vascular dysfunction and atherogenesis. Vascular inflammation in atherosclerosis is modulated by autoimmune responses against self-antigens such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in the vascular wall. The members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family are involved in angiogenesis and vascular remodeling, consequently leading to the progression of numerous vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, varicose veins, hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm, preeclampsia, etc. The aim of this study was to examine the values of enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 in urine and Tregs in peripheral blood from patients with atherosclerosis of carotid arteries, underwent surgery in comparison with healthy volunteers. We analyzed 50 patients with atherosclerosis. The method of enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) was used to determine enzymes expression of matrix metalloproteinase- 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and 9). Regulatory T cells were analyzed using flow cytometric analysis. The patients with atherosclerosis had a statistically significantly increased level of MMP-2 and 9 in the urine and the percentage of T regs in peripheral blood in comparison with healthy volunteers. Our data has showed a large increase in the enzyme MMP-2 and 9 in the urine of atherosclerotic patients, which may be an easy marker for the monitoring of the development of atherosclerosis. Acknowledgement: This work was supported by grants from University of Rijeka (13.06.1.1.14 and 13.06.1.1.15).

atherosclerosis ; enzymes matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 ; Tregs

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