Original article (Basic research)

Expression of pentraxin 3 protein in rabbit atherosclerosis plaques

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  • Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China

Online published: 2011-03-29

Supported by

Shanghai Chest Hospital Foundation, Y209-11

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in rabbit atherosclerosis plaques and normal artery tissues. Methods Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal diet control group (n=8) and high-fat diet group (n=8), and were fed with standard diet (100 g/d) and high-fat diet (100 g/d) for 16 weeks, respectively. At the eighth and sixteenth week of the study, the formation of atherosclerosis plaques in high-fat diet group was observed by ultrasonography. At the sixteenth week of the study, rabbit aortas of high-fat diet group were obtained, and the formation of atherosclerosis plaques was observed by sudan Ⅲ staining. The expression of PTX3 mRNA and protein in atherosclerosis plaques of high-fat diet group and normal artery tissues of normal diet control group was detected by Real-Time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results At the sixteenth week of the study, the formation of atherosclerosis plaques in high-fat diet group was confirmed by both ultrasonography and histological observations. The relative expression of PTX3 mRNA and protein in atherosclerosis plaques of high-fat diet group was significantly higher than that in normal artery tissues of normal diet control group [(2.815±0.531) vs (1.022±0.175) and (0.470±0.056) vs (0.248±0.053)](P<0.01). Conclusion The expression of PTX3 is significantly increased in atherosclerosis plaques, and PTX3 is one of the important inflammatory factors involved in the development of atherosclerosis plaques.

Cite this article

LIU Hua, FANG Wei-yi, YUAN Fang, et al . Expression of pentraxin 3 protein in rabbit atherosclerosis plaques[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2011 , 31(3) : 271 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2011.03.005

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