Dongsi Lu
Tanzania
Research Article
Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-C is Up-Regulated in the Intima of Advanced Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis
Author(s): Mohamed A Zayed, Scott D Harring, Dana R Abendschein, Chandu Vemuri, Dongsi Lu, Lisa Detering, Yongjian Liu and Pamela K WoodardMohamed A Zayed, Scott D Harring, Dana R Abendschein, Chandu Vemuri, Dongsi Lu, Lisa Detering, Yongjian Liu and Pamela K Woodard
Objective: Natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C/NPR-3) is a cell surface protein involved in vascular remodelling that is up-regulated in atherosclerosis. NPR-C expression has not been well characterized in human carotid artery occlusive lesions. We hypothesized that NPR-C expression correlates with intimal features of vulnerable atherosclerotic carotid artery plaque.
Methods: To test this hypothesis, we evaluated NPR-C expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) specimens isolated from 18 patients. The grade, location, and co-localization of NPR-C in CEA specimens were evaluated using two tissue analysis techniques.
Results: Relative to minimally diseased CEA specimens, we observed avid NPR-C tissue staining in the intima of maximally diseased CEA specimens (65%; p=0.06). Specifically, ma.. View More»
