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Cyclooxygenase 2, toll-like receptor 4 and interleukin 1β mRNA expression in atherosclerotic plaques of type 2 diabetic patients

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Abstract

Objectives and design

Inflammation has a prominent role in the development of atherosclerosis. Type 2 diabetes could contribute to atherosclerosis development by promoting inflammation. This status might accelerate changes in intrinsic vascular wall cells and favor plaque formation. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is highly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. COX-2 gene expression is promoted through activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1β (IL1-β). Aim of this study is to investigate whether expression profiles of pro-inflammatory genes such as COX-2, TLR4 and IL1-β in atherosclerotic plaques are altered in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Total RNA was isolated from plaques of atherosclerotic patients and expression of COX-2, TLR4, IL1-β analyzed using real-time PCR. Histological analysis was performed on sections of the plaque to establish the degree of instability.

Results

Statistically significant differences in mRNA expression of COX-2 and IL1-β were found in plaques of T2D compared with non-T2D patients. A multi-variable linear regression model suggests that COX-2 mRNA expression is affected by T2D pathology and IL1-β mRNA expression in atherosclerotic plaques.

Conclusions

Our results support the hypothesis that T2D pathology contributes in vivo to increase the inflammatory process associated with the atherosclerotic plaque formation, as shown by an increment of COX-2 and IL1-β mRNA expression.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Fondazione Cariverona and a PhD Fellowship (S.F.) from the University of Verona.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Biology and Genetics, Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Alessandro Baldan, Silvia Ferronato, Giovanni Malerba, Pier Franco Pignatti & Macarena Gomez-Lira

  2. Section of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Silvia Olivato & Sara Mazzucco

  3. Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Alberto Scuro

  4. Unit of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Gian Franco Veraldi

  5. Section of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Matteo Gelati

  6. Section of Neuropathology, Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Sergio Ferrari & Sara Mariotto

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  1. Alessandro Baldan
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  2. Silvia Ferronato
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  3. Silvia Olivato
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  4. Giovanni Malerba
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Correspondence to Alessandro Baldan.

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Bernhard Gibbs

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Baldan, A., Ferronato, S., Olivato, S. et al. Cyclooxygenase 2, toll-like receptor 4 and interleukin 1β mRNA expression in atherosclerotic plaques of type 2 diabetic patients. Inflamm. Res. 63, 851–858 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-014-0759-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-014-0759-8

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