Expression of TLR4-PTGE2 signaling genes in atherosclerotic carotid plaques and peripheral blood

S Ferronato; A Scuro; S Fochi; E Orlandi; M Gomez-Lira; S Olivato; S Mazzucco; A Turco; M G Romanelli

doi:10.1007/s11033-018-4478-z

Expression of TLR4-PTGE2 signaling genes in atherosclerotic carotid plaques and peripheral blood

Mol Biol Rep. 2019 Feb;46(1):1317-1321. doi: 10.1007/s11033-018-4478-z. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Authors

S Ferronato¹, A Scuro², S Fochi¹, E Orlandi¹, M Gomez-Lira³, S Olivato⁴, S Mazzucco⁵, A Turco¹, M G Romanelli¹

Affiliations

¹ Section of Biology and Genetics, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 8, 37134, Verona, Italy.
² Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynaecology, Unit of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
³ Section of Biology and Genetics, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 8, 37134, Verona, Italy. [email protected].
⁴ Section of Neurophatology, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
⁵ Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia Nuffield, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

PMID: 30421129
DOI: 10.1007/s11033-018-4478-z

Abstract

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/prostaglandine synthetase 2 (PTGS2) signaling plays a relevant role in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to check the gene expression of 6 genes participating to TLR4/PTGS2 signaling (TLR4, PTGS2, ACSL4, PTGER3, PTGER4, and EPRAP) in carotid plaques and blood samples from the same individual and to evaluate these genes as biomarker of plaque progression. We investigated differential gene expression by qRT-PCR in 62 atherosclerotic patients' carotid plaques and corresponding blood sample. A very weak or no correlation was observed in the overall population or analyzing asymptomatic patients. These analyzed genes are most likely not suitable for inclusion in the clinical routine as biomarkers of plaque instability.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Blood and plaques; Gene expression.

MeSH terms

Aged
Carotid Arteries / pathology*
Cyclooxygenase 2 / blood*
Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics*
Female
Gene Expression Regulation*
Humans
Male
Plaque, Atherosclerotic / blood
Plaque, Atherosclerotic / genetics*
Signal Transduction* / genetics
Toll-Like Receptor 4 / blood*
Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics*

Substances

Toll-Like Receptor 4
Cyclooxygenase 2
PTGS2 protein, human