This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 109/3/393    most recent 01.CIR.0000109140.51366.72v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hollestelle, S. C.G. Articles by de Kleijn, D. P.V. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hollestelle, S. C.G. Articles by de Kleijn, D. P.V. Related Collections Remodeling Animal models of human disease Gene expression

(Circulation. 2004;109:393-398.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.

Basic Science Reports

Toll-Like Receptor 4 Is Involved in Outward Arterial Remodeling

Saskia C.G. Hollestelle, MSc^*; Margreet R. de Vries, BSc^*; J. Karlijn van Keulen, MSc; Arjan H. Schoneveld, BSc; Aryan Vink, MD, PhD; Chaylendra F. Strijder, BSc; Ben J. van Middelaar, BSc; Gerard Pasterkamp, MD, PhD; Paul H.A. Quax, PhD; Dominique P.V. de Kleijn, PhD

From the Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, HLCU, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands (S.C.G.H., K.v.K., A.H.S., A.V., C.F.S., B.J.v.M., G.P., D.P.V.d.K.); Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, Utrecht, the Netherlands (S.C.G.H., A.H.S., A.V., C.F.S., D.P.V.d.K.); TNO-PG, Leiden, the Netherlands (M.R.d.V., P.H.A.Q.); and the Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands (P.H.A.Q.).

Correspondence to D.P.V. de Kleijn, PhD, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, University Medical Center, Room G02–523, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail d.dekleijn{at}hli.azu.nl

Received March 25, 2003; de novo received July 15, 2003; revision received September 16, 2003; accepted September 16, 2003.

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Background— Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) is the receptor for exogenous lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Expression of endogenous Tlr4 ligands, heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) and extra domain A of fibronectin, has been observed in arthritic and oncological specimens in which matrix turnover is an important feature. In atherosclerosis, outward remodeling is characterized by matrix turnover and a structural change in arterial circumference and is associated with a vulnerable plaque phenotype. Since Tlr4 ligands are expressed during matrix turnover, we hypothesized that Tlr4 is involved in arterial remodeling.

Methods and Results— In a femoral artery cuff model in the atherosclerotic ApoE3 (Leiden) transgenic mouse, Tlr4 activation by LPS stimulated plaque formation and subsequent outward arterial remodeling. With the use of the same model in wild-type mice, neointima formation and outward remodeling occurred. In Tlr4-deficient mice, however, no outward arterial remodeling was observed independent of neointima formation. Carotid artery ligation in wild-type mice resulted in outward remodeling without neointima formation in the contralateral artery. This was associated with an increase in Tlr4 expression and EDA and Hsp60 mRNA levels. In contrast, outward remodeling was not observed after carotid ligation in Tlr4-deficient mice.

Conclusions— These findings provide genetic evidence that Tlr4 is involved in outward arterial remodeling, probably through upregulation of Tlr4 and Tlr4 ligands.

Key Words: remodeling • arteries • plaque • atherosclerosis • proteins

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4) is the receptor for exogenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS),¹ endogenous heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60),² and extra domain A of fibronectin (EDA).³ Tlr4 expression has recently been described in atherosclerotic arteries in endothelial cells, macrophages,^4,5 and adventitial fibroblasts.⁶ Using a mouse femoral cuff model, we recently demonstrated that Tlr4 is involved in neointima formation.⁶ Moreover, Tlr4 polymorphism is associated with carotid intima thickness in humans.⁷ However, a function for Tlr4 in arterial geometrical remodeling, the other determinant for arterial lumen loss, is unknown.

Expression of endogenous Tlr4 ligands, Hsp60 and EDA, has been observed in arthritic⁸ and oncological specimens^9,10 in which matrix turnover is an important feature.

Matrix turnover in arteries occurs during arterial remodeling in response to sustained blood flow changes,^11,12 balloon injury,^13,14 and atherosclerotic plaque formation.¹⁵ Arterial remodeling, which can be outward to reduce lumen loss and inward to increase lumen loss, is characterized by structural changes of the arterial wall involving cell migration and collagen (matrix) breakdown¹⁶ by matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), including MMP9, which can be stimulated by Tlr4 activation.³

Outward remodeling in arteries is an important determinant for lumen loss because it can compensate for plaque accumulation in the arterial lumen.¹⁷ However, although the luminal area is preserved, the plaque beneath the surface of the lumen often has a vulnerable plaque phenotype.¹⁸ Next to a vulnerable plaque phenotype, outward remodeling is associated with aneurysm formation¹⁹ and shear stress–induced arteriogenesis.²⁰

Previous observations revealed enhanced expression of Tlr4 ligands in non–vascular tissue remodeling. In the current study, we hypothesized that Tlr4 is involved in arterial remodeling. We studied arterial plaque formation and subsequent arterial remodeling after Tlr4 activation in the atherosclerotic ApoE3 Leiden mouse. We investigated the involvement of Tlr4 in femoral artery remodeling with neointima formation and carotid artery remodeling without neointima formation by using wild-type and Tlr4-deficient mice. Furthermore, expression and localization of carotid Tlr4 was determined and Hsp60 and EDA mRNA levels were measured. This revealed that Tlr4 is involved in the outward arterial remodeling process and shows that Tlr4 and its endogenous ligands are upregulated during remodeling.

	Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Animal Experiments
Femoral cuff placement was performed in male ApoE3 Leiden mice that were crossbred for 18 generations with C57BL/6 mice (8 to 12 weeks old) and received a high-fat, cholesterol-rich (HFC) diet throughout the experimental period starting 4 weeks before surgery, as described before.²¹ LPS (1 µg/µL) or PBS (control) dissolved in gelatin was administered inside the cuff⁶; mice were killed 3 weeks after cuff placement (+LPS, n=10; control mice, n=10).

Femoral cuff placement with or without LPS (1 µg/µL) was also performed in female BALB/c (n=18) and C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice (Tlr4-deficient mouse on a Balb/c background, Jackson Laboratory, n=18; age, 12 to 20 weeks) and killed 3 weeks after cuff placement.⁶

Carotid artery ligation²² was performed as described by de Kleijn et al²³ in 14 BALB/c and 17 C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice by using the carotid artery contralateral to the ligation as a model for outward remodeling. Nonligated female BALB/c and C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice served as control (BALB/c n=5; C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d n=5). All arteries used for morphometry were perfusion-fixed first for 3 minutes through the left ventricle with PBS plus 10 to 4 mol/L nitroprusside at 99 mL/h to get maximal dilation of the arteries and normal intraventricular pressure for nitroprusside-treated mice (50 to 60 mm Hg²⁴). Intraventricular pressure was measured with a pressure sensor with data recorder (Spacelabs) connected between the pump and the needle in the left ventricle. This was followed by a 3-minute perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS plus 10 to 4 mol/L nitroprusside at 99 mL/h to fix the arteries at maximal dilation and normal pressure.

Carotid ligation was also performed in another group of 60 female BALB/c mice to measure carotid RNA and protein levels at 0, 3, 5, 8, 20, and 28 days after ligation (n=10/time point), as described previously by de Kleijn et al.²³

The ethics committee on animal welfare of TNO (The organization for Applied Scientific research) and the Utrecht University approved the animal experiments.

Definition of Arterial Remodeling
Arterial remodeling is defined as a change in arterial size compared with a control or reference artery. An increase in size is defined as outward remodeling, whereas a decrease in size is defined as inward remodeling. As a measure of arterial size, we used the external elastic lamina (EEL) area calculated from the EEL length including corrugations. For the cuff models, the EEL areas are compared between the cuff with and without LPS (reference). For the ligation model, EEL areas are compared between the carotid artery contralateral to the ligated carotid artery and unligated carotids (reference).

Morphological Quantification in Sections of Cuffed Femoral Artery and Contralateral Unligated Carotid Artery
Paraffin sections were stained with either elastin–van Gieson or HPS. Ten equally spaced (200 µm) cross sections were used in ApoE3 Leiden mice and 3 to 6 in the BALB/c and C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice to quantify intimal lesions and EEL. Using image analysis software (Leica or Analysis), total cross-sectional medial area was measured between the external and internal elastic lamina; total cross-sectional intimal area was measured between the endothelial cell monolayer and the internal elastic lamina.

Quantitative RT-PCR
Tripure (Roche) was used for isolation of RNA and protein according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Mouse Tlr4 (forward: 5'-tcacctctgccttcactac-3'; reverse: 5'-caaagatacaccaacggctc3') EDA (forward: 5'-acgtggttagtgtttatgctc-3'; reverse: 5'-tggaatcgacatcca-catcag-3'), Hsp60 (forward: 5'-accgtctattgccaaggag-3'; reverse: 5'-cagcaattacagcatcaacag-3'), and 18S (forward: 5'-tcaacacggg-aaacctcac-3'; reverse: 5'-accagacaaatcgctccac-3') primers were designed with the use of the Prime Program at CMBI (Nijmegen). cDNA synthesis, and quantitative PCR was performed as described before.²³

Western Blotting
Denatured samples (6 µg/lane) with ß-mercaptoethanol were separated on a 10% SDS polyacrylamide gel and blotted to a Hybond-C membrane (Amersham Pharmacia). Blocking and incubation steps were done in 5% defatted dry milk in PBS/0.1% Tween 20. Blots were incubated with rabbit anti-human Tlr4 (1:500, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), biotin-labeled swine anti-rabbit (1:2000, DAKO) followed by streptavidin horseradish peroxidase (1:1000, Vector Laboratory). Bands were visualized with the use of the ECL kit (Amersham). Optical density of Tlr4-positive bands was measured with the use of the GelDoc system (Biorad) and expressed in arbitrary units.

Immunohistochemistry
Mouse femoral or carotid arteries were embedded in paraffin. Four-micrometer sections were cut and deparaffinized. Endogenous peroxidase was quenched in MeOH containing 1.5% H₂O₂ for 30 minutes at room temperature. Antigen retrieval was performed by boiling sections for 20 minutes in 10 mmol/L citrate buffer, pH 6.0. Sections were blocked with 10% normal swine serum and incubated overnight at 4°C with rabbit antihuman Tlr4 immune serum (1:50, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc). Sections were then incubated 1 hour. at room temperature with biotin labeled swine anti-rabbit (1:1000, DAKO) followed by streptavidin horseradish peroxidase (1:1000, Vector Laboratory). As a negative control, the immune serum was replaced with nonimmune rabbit IgG (4 µg/mL, Vector Laboratory). Tlr4 was visualized with AEC staining (red), and nuclear staining was performed with hematoxylin.

Statistics
All data are presented as mean±SEM. The Mann-Whitney test was used for all experiments except for the mRNA and protein measurements. To determine whether there was an upregulation in mRNA or protein level over time, the logarithm was taken and ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test was performed. A value of P<0.05 was regarded as significant.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Tlr4 Stimulation in an Atherosclerotic Mouse Model
After 3 weeks, stimulation with LPS of the cuffed femoral artery in ApoE3 Leiden mice on a HFC diet resulted a larger EEL area compared with the group without LPS application (Table, P=0.009, Figure 1). The group with LPS application also showed a larger plaque area, mainly consisting of accumulated smooth muscle cells and foam cells as described before,²¹ compared with the group without LPS application (Table, P=0.011, Figure 1). The cholesterol levels are comparable in both groups (control group, 17.7±7.9 mmol/L versus LPS group, 16.3±4.6 mmol/L).

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   EEL, Media, Intima/Plaque, and Lumen Area of ApoE3 Leiden, Wild-Type, and Tlr4-Deficient Mice After Femoral Cuff Placement and Carotid Ligation

View larger version (70K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. HPS staining of femoral artery cross sections of APOE3 Leiden mouse treated with periadventitial cuff and gelatin (A) and with cuff and gelatin containing LPS (B). Arrows indicate EEL. EEL area (C) and plaque area (D) of the femoral artery of APOE3 Leiden mice after cuff placement with or without stimulation of LPS. n=10 mice per group. *P=0.009, **P=0.011. Bar=50 µm.

Tlr4 and Outward Arterial Remodeling in a Femoral Cuff Model With Neointima Formation
The femoral cuff model in BALB/c and C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice (a Tlr4-deficient mouse on a BALB/c background) showed that after LPS stimulation, wild-type mice revealed a larger EEL area in comparison to the nonstimulated wild-type mice (Table, P=0.019, Figure 2A). The C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice, however, did not show an increased EEL after LPS stimulation compared with the nonstimulated C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice (Table and Figure 2A). Neointima formation was less in the Tlr4-deficient mice compared with the wild-type mice but is increased in the LPS-stimulated Tlr4-deficient mice compared with the nonstimulated Tlr4-deficient mice (Figure 2B). The wild-type mice showed a correlation between the EEL area and intima area (r=0.525, P=0.024, Figure 2C), which was absent in the C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice (Figure 2D). These data suggest that Tlr4 is involved in the outward remodeling process in a model with neointima formation.

View larger version (20K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. EEL area (A) and intima area (B) of wild-type (Wt) BALB/c (black bar) and C.C3H-Tlr4LPS-d (white bar) mice treated with periadventitial cuff containing gelatin with or without LPS.6 n=7 to 9 mice per group, *P=0.019. Intima area versus EEL area plot in wild-type mice (C) (P=0.024) and in C.C3H-Tlr4LPS-d mice (D).

Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Outward Arterial Remodeling in a Flow Cessation Model
We used the carotid artery contralateral to the ligation as a model in which only outward remodeling occurs.²² Twenty-eight days after ligation, the BALB/c mice showed in the contralateral arteries an increase in EEL area (23 330±5644 µm², P=0.001, Table) compared with nonligated control arteries, whereas in C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice, no increase in EEL area was found (EEL area, 6952±5509 µm², P=0.628 Table). The BALB/c mice also showed an increase in media area compared with the control arteries (6696±1279 µm², P=0.001, Table). In contrast, media area in C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice was not increased (2006±1086 µm², P=0.288, Table). Increase in carotid media and EEL area showed a significant difference between wild-type and C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice (Figure 3, A and B).

View larger version (14K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 3. Increase in EEL area (A) and media area of the left carotid artery after ligation of the right carotid artery in wild-type (Wt) BALB/c and Tlr4-defective (Tlr4-/-) C.C3H-Tlr4LPS-d mice 28 days after right carotid artery ligation (B). n=14 to 17 mice per group. *P=0.047, **P=0.014.

Expression of Tlr4 and Endogenous Tlr4 Ligands in a Flow Cessation Model
Next, we studied whether outward remodeling resulted in an increase of Tlr4 or endogenous Tlr4 ligand levels in the contralateral unligated carotid artery. We observed an upregulation of Tlr4 mRNA (25 times) and Tlr4 protein levels (3 times) over time that was significant at 28 days after ligation (P=0.046, P=0.029, respectively, Figure 4A). We also measured the EDA and Hsp60 mRNA levels at 0 and 28 days after ligation in wild-type BALB/c mice. Both endogenous Tlr4 ligands were significantly upregulated at 28 days (EDA, 4 times, P=0.007, and Hsp60, 24 times, P=0.041, Figure 4B).

View larger version (28K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 4. Left carotid artery Tlr4 mRNA and protein levels over time after ligation of the right carotid artery in wild-type BALB/c mice (A). Upper panel, Example of Tlr4 Western blotting at 0 and 30 days after ligation and Tlr4 Western blotting on protein of the THP1 monocyte cell line (1=2 µg, 2=4 µg protein) and the same blot (SEC) incubated with the immune serum replaced with nonimmune rabbit IgG. Bottom panel, Black bars represent Tlr4 mRNA levels, white bars represent Tlr4 protein levels, expressed in arbitrary units. Left carotid artery EDA and Hsp60 mRNA levels 28 days after right carotid artery ligation in wild-type BALB/c mice (B). Black bars represent EDA mRNA levels, white bars represent Hsp60 mRNA levels. n=5 to 9 mice per group. Tlr4, EDA, and Hsp60 mRNA is represented as the amount of plasmid containing the PCR product to which it correlates in the dilution series of this plasmid used in the quantitative real-time PCR. Localization of Tlr4 protein expression of the left carotid artery of the BALB/c mice (C, left panel) and negative control (4 µg/mL nonimmune rabbit IgG; c, right panel). *P=0.046, **P=0.029, ***P=0.007, ****P=0.041. Bar=25 µm.

Staining for Tlr4 protein expression demonstrated that the endothelial cell layer, media, and adventitia contained Tlr4-positive cells (Figure 4C, left panel). Negative control with nonimmune rabbit IgG showed no positive staining (Figure 4C, right panel) or bands after Western blotting (Figure 4A, top panel).

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Inappropriate arterial remodeling is currently thought to be the main cause of prevalent vascular pathologies, including atherosclerosis and restenosis,²⁵ but the components and regulatory mechanisms of this process are still unclear.

First, we demonstrated that Tlr4 activation in an atherosclerotic (ApoE3 Leiden) mouse model can induce outward remodeling and plaque formation.

The increase in atherosclerotic plaque formation after LPS application is consistent with the formation of a smooth muscle cell–rich lesion after adventitial LPS application in rats²⁶ and with the role of Tlr4 in neointima formation, as described before in mouse⁶ and plaque formation in humans.⁷

Next, we questioned if Tlr4 is involved in outward arterial remodeling with neointima formation and used the femoral cuff model in BALB/c and C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS-d mice. This showed that Tlr4 is involved in outward remodeling. Although no relation was found between intima formation and outward remodeling in the C.C3H-Tlr4^LPS- mouse, it remains difficult to determine what the contribution of neointima formation is in this process. For this, we investigated if Tlr4 is involved in outward arterial remodeling without neointima formation by using the carotid artery contralateral to the ligated artery. This shows that Tlr4 is involved in outward arterial remodeling without neointima formation or injury. Thus, outward remodeling by lumen area increase depends on Tlr4 presence independent of neointima formation.

The finding that Tlr4 is involved in outward remodeling with and without neointima formation suggest an important role for Tlr4 in all outward arterial remodeling.

Previously, Kiechl et al⁷ demonstrated a relation between Asp299Gly Tlr4 polymorphism and carotid intima media thickness. It remains to be determined if human Asp299Gly Tlr4 polymorphism is also associated with less outward remodeling. Less outward remodeling might lead to more lumen loss, but, since outward remodeling is associated with an unstable plaque phenotype,¹⁸ this might lead to more stable plaques. The plaque phenotype is determined by collagen turnover²⁷ and inflammation.²⁸ Earlier findings show that Tlr4 is associated with collagen turnover,^3,29 initiation of an inflammatory response,^30,6 and production of chemokines and cytokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,⁶ suggesting a potential role for Tlr4 in plaque stabilization. Recently, Boekholdt et al³¹ found that Tlr4 polymorphism modify the efficacy of statin therapy and the risk of cardiovascular events. This points again to a role of Tlr4 in cardiovascular disease, although the exact mechanistic role of Tlr4 remains obscure.

Since in the carotid ligation model no neointima formation occurs and no exogenous Tlr4 ligand was used, we studied whether outward remodeling resulted in an increase of Tlr4 or endogenous Tlr4 ligands levels. Tlr4 was upregulated on mRNA and protein levels that localized to the endothelial, medial, and adventitial layers. Also, two endogenous Tlr4 ligands, EDA and Hsp60, showed an increased mRNA expression at 28 days after ligation. This indicates that during outward arterial remodeling, endogenous ligands are the main Tlr4 activators, and no exogenous ligands are necessary, as was found earlier for murine atherosclerosis.³² Nevertheless, a causal role for endogenous Tlr4 ligands in remodeling still has to be established.

The involvement of Tlr4 in arterial remodeling might point to a role for Tlr4 in arteriogenesis in which outward remodeling is an essential process. Furthermore, Tlr4 activation results in increased production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and other cytokines,^30,6 which stimulates arteriogenesis.³³ Similarly, a bolus of LPS improves peripheral and collateral conductance after femoral artery occlusion in the rabbit.³⁴

Limitations
Outward remodeling in the Tlr4-deficient mouse is not prevented by the femoral cuff, since in both ApoE3 Leiden (Figure 1C) and wild-type Balb/C (Figure 2a), outward remodeling occurs. However, we cannot exclude that the cuff prevents even more outward remodeling in ApoE3 Leiden and Balb/c.

Arteries were pressure-fixed with constant intraventricular pressure (50 mm Hg). Although we did not determine intraluminal arterial pressure, procedure and intraventricular pressure was the same in the different mice groups.

In summary, we showed that Tlr4 is involved in the outward arterial remodeling process, probably through upregulation of Tlr4 and its endogenous ligands, EDA and Hsp60, which might also apply to arteriogenesis.

	Acknowledgments

 
This work was supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation (NHS), grants 99–209 and 2001–162, M93.001. We thank Jelger van der Meer and Anne Lamers for technical assistance.

	Footnotes

 
*Drs Hollestelle and de Vries contributed equally to this article.

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 

1. Poltorak A, He X, Smirnova I, et al. Defective LPS signaling in C3H/HeJ and C57BL/10ScCr mice: mutations in Tlr4 gene. Science. 1998; 282: 2085–2088.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
2. Ohashi K, Burkart V, Flohe S, et al. Cutting edge: heat shock protein 60 is a putative endogenous ligand of the toll-like receptor-4 complex. J Immunol. 2000; 164: 558–561.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
3. Okamura Y, Watari M, Jerud ES, et al. The extra domain A of fibronectin activates Toll-like receptor 4. J Biol Chem. 2001; 30: 276:10229–10233.
   
4. Xu XH, Shah PK, Faure E, et al. Toll-like receptor-4 is expressed by macrophages in murine and human lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques and upregulated by oxidized LDL. Circulation. 2001; 104: 3103–3108.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
5. Edfeldt K, Swedenborg J, Hansson GK, et al. Expression of toll-like receptors in human atherosclerotic lesions: a possible pathway for plaque activation. Circulation. 2002; 105: 1158–1161.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
6. Vink A, Schoneveld AH, van der Meer JJ, et al. In vivo evidence for a role of toll-like receptor 4 in the development of intimal lesions. Circulation. 2002; 106: 1985–1990.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
7. Kiechl S, Lorenz E, Reindl M, et al. Toll-like receptor 4 polymorphisms and atherogenesis. N Engl J Med. 2002; 347: 185–192.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
8. Walle TK, Vartio T, Helve T, et al. Cellular fibronectin in rheumatoid synovium and synovial fluid: a possible factor contributing to lymphocytic infiltration. Scand J Immunol. 1990; 31: 535–540.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
9. Matsui S, Takahashi T, Oyanagi Y, et al. Expression, localization and alternative splicing pattern of fibronectin messenger RNA in fibrotic human liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol. 1997; 27: 843–853.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
10. Cornford PA, Dodson AR, Parsons KF, et al. Heat shock protein expression independently predicts clinical outcome in prostate cancer. Cancer Res. 2000; 60: 7099–7105.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
11. Langille BL. Remodeling of developing and mature arteries: endothelium, smooth muscle, and matrix. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1993; 21 (suppl 1): S11–S17.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
12. de Kleijn DP, Sluijter JP, Smit J, et al. Furin and membrane type-1 metalloproteinase mRNA levels and activation of metalloproteinase-2 are associated with arterial remodeling. FEBS Lett. 2001; 501: 37–41.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
13. de Smet BJ, de Kleijn D, Hanemaaijer R, et al. Metalloproteinase inhibition reduces constrictive arterial remodeling after balloon angioplasty: a study in the atherosclerotic Yucatan micropig. Circulation. 2000; 101: 2962–2967.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
14. Sierevogel MJ, Pasterkamp G, Velema E, et al. Oral matrix metalloproteinase inhibition and arterial remodeling after balloon dilation: an intravascular ultrasound study in the pig. Circulation. 2001; 103: 302–307.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
15. Pasterkamp G, Schoneveld AH, Hijnen DJ, et al. Atherosclerotic arterial remodeling and the localization of macrophages and matrix metalloproteases 1, 2 and 9 in the human coronary artery. Atherosclerosis. 2000; 150: 245–253.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
16. Galis ZS, Johnson C, Godin D, et al. Targeted disruption of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene impairs smooth muscle cell migration and geometrical arterial remodeling. Circ Res. 2002; 91: 852–859.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
17. Glagov S, Weisenberg E, Zarins CK, et al. Compensatory enlargement of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries. N Engl J Med. 1987; 316: 1371–1375.[Abstract]
    
18. Pasterkamp G, Smits PC. Imaging of atherosclerosis. Remodelling of coronary arteries. J Cardiovasc Risk. 2002; 9: 229–235.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
19. Grange JJ, Davis V, Baxter BT. Pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm: an update and look toward the future. Cardiovasc Surg. 1997; 5: 256–265.Review.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
20. Carmeliet P. Mechanisms of angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Nat Med. 2000; 6: 389–395.Review.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
21. Lardenoye JH, Delsing DJ, de Vries MR, et al. Accelerated atherosclerosis by placement of a perivascular cuff and a cholesterol-rich diet in ApoE*3Leiden transgenic mice. Circ Res. 2000; 87: 248–253.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
22. Kumar A, Lindner V. Remodeling with neointima formation in the mouse carotid artery after cessation of blood flow. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1997; 17: 2238–2244.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
23. de Kleijn DP, Smeets MB, Kemmeren PP, et al. Acute-phase protein haptoglobin is a cell migration factor involved in arterial restructuring. FASEB J. 2002; 16: 1123–1125.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
24. Schildmeyer LA, Braun R, Taffet G, et al. Impaired vascular contractility and blood pressure homeostasis in the smooth muscle alpha-actin null mouse. FASEB J. 2000; 14: 2213–2220.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
25. Pasterkamp G, de Kleijn DP, Borst C. Arterial remodeling in atherosclerosis, restenosis and after alteration of blood flow: potential mechanisms and clinical implications. Cardiovasc Res. 2000; 45: 843–852.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
26. Prescott MF, McBride CK, Court M. Development of intimal lesions after leukocyte migration into the vascular wall. Am J Pathol. 1989; 135: 835–846.[Abstract]
    
27. Galis ZS, Sukhova GK, Lark MW, et al. Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases and matrix degrading activity in vulnerable regions of human atherosclerotic plaques. J Clin Invest. 1994; 94: 2493–2503.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
28. Libby P. Inflammation in atherosclerosis. Nature. 2002; 420: 868–874.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
29. Watari M, Watari H, Nachamkin I, et al. Lipopolysaccharide induces expression of genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines and the elastin-degrading enzyme, cathepsin S, in human cervical smooth-muscle cells. J Soc Gynecol Invest. 2000; 7: 190–198.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
30. Smiley ST, King JA, Hancock WW. Fibrinogen stimulates macrophage chemokine secretion through toll-like receptor 4. J Immunol. 2001; 167: 2887–2894.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
31. Boekholdt SM, Agema WR, Peters RJ, et al. Variants of toll-like receptor 4 modify the efficacy of statin therapy and the risk of cardiovascular events. Circulation. 2003; 107: 2416–2421.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
32. Wright SD, Burton C, Hernandez M, et al. Infectious agents are not necessary for murine atherogenesis. J Exp Med. 2000; 191: 1437–1442.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
33. Ito WD, Arras M, Winkler B, et al. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 increases collateral and peripheral conductance after femoral artery occlusion. Circ Res. 1997; 80: 829–837.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
34. Arras M, Ito WD, Scholz D, et al. Monocyte activation in angiogenesis and collateral growth in the rabbit hindlimb. J Clin Invest. 1998; 101: 40–50.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D Versteeg, I E Hoefer, A H Schoneveld, D P V de Kleijn, E Busser, C Strijder, M Emons, P R Stella, P A Doevendans, and G Pasterkamp Monocyte toll-like receptor 2 and 4 responses and expression following percutaneous coronary intervention: association with lesion stenosis and fractional flow reserve Heart, June 1, 2008; 94(6): 770 - 776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Foglieni, F. Maisano, L. Dreas, A. Giazzon, G. Ruotolo, E. Ferrero, L. Li Volsi, S. Coli, G. Sinagra, B. Zingone, et al. Mild inflammatory activation of mammary arteries in patients with acute coronary syndromes Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2008; 294(6): H2831 - H2837. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Christman II, D. J. Goetz, E. Dickerson, K. D. McCall, C. J. Lewis, F. Benencia, M. J. Silver, L. D. Kohn, and R. Malgor Wnt5a is expressed in murine and human atherosclerotic lesions Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2008; 294(6): H2864 - H2870. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.E. Naschitz and R. Lenger Why traumatic leg amputees are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases QJM, April 1, 2008; 101(4): 251 - 259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. W. Han, K. Shimada, W. Ma-Krupa, T. L. Johnson, R. M. Nerem, J. J. Goronzy, and C. M. Weyand Vessel Wall-Embedded Dendritic Cells Induce T-Cell Autoreactivity and Initiate Vascular Inflammation Circ. Res., March 14, 2008; 102(5): 546 - 553. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Timmers, J. P.G. Sluijter, J. K. van Keulen, I. E. Hoefer, M. G.J. Nederhoff, M.-J. Goumans, P. A. Doevendans, C. J.A. van Echteld, J. A. Joles, P. H. Quax, et al. Toll-Like Receptor 4 Mediates Maladaptive Left Ventricular Remodeling and Impairs Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction Circ. Res., February 1, 2008; 102(2): 257 - 264. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Goldberg, M. Parolini, B. Y. Chin, E. Czismadia, L. E. Otterbein, F. H. Bach, and H. Wang Toll-like receptor 4 suppression leads to islet allograft survival FASEB J, September 1, 2007; 21(11): 2840 - 2848. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. A. Korshunov, S. M. Schwartz, and B. C. Berk Vascular Remodeling: Hemodynamic and Biochemical Mechanisms Underlying Glagov's Phenomenon Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., August 1, 2007; 27(8): 1722 - 1728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Koch, P. Hoppmann, A. Pfeufer, A. Schomig, and A. Kastrati Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms and myocardial infarction: no association in a Caucasian population Eur. Heart J., November 1, 2006; 27(21): 2524 - 2529. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Zschenker, T. Illies, and D. Ameis Overexpression of lysosomal Acid lipase and other proteins in atherosclerosis. J. Biochem., July 1, 2006; 140(1): 23 - 38. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. A. Harari, P. Alcaide, D. Ahl, F. W. Luscinskas, and J. K. Liao Absence of TRAM Restricts Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling in Vascular Endothelial Cells to the MyD88 Pathway Circ. Res., May 12, 2006; 98(9): 1134 - 1140. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Tedgui and Z. Mallat Cytokines in Atherosclerosis: Pathogenic and Regulatory Pathways Physiol Rev, April 1, 2006; 86(2): 515 - 581. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. A. Korshunov, T. A. Nikonenko, V. A. Tkachuk, A. Brooks, and B. C. Berk Interleukin-18 and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Are Associated With Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickening Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., February 1, 2006; 26(2): 295 - 300. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. E. Rosenkranz, D. J. Schulte, L. M.A. Agle, M. H. Wong, W. Zhang, L. Ivashkiv, T. M. Doherty, M. C. Fishbein, T. J.A. Lehman, K. S. Michelsen, et al. TLR2 and MyD88 Contribute to Lactobacillus casei Extract-Induced Focal Coronary Arteritis in a Mouse Model of Kawasaki Disease Circulation, November 8, 2005; 112(19): 2966 - 2973. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Ha, Y. Li, F. Hua, J. Ma, X. Gao, J. Kelley, A. Zhao, G. E. Haddad, D. L. Williams, I. William Browder, et al. Reduced cardiac hypertrophy in toll-like receptor 4-deficient mice following pressure overload Cardiovasc Res, November 1, 2005; 68(2): 224 - 234. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Fuster, P. R. Moreno, Z. A. Fayad, R. Corti, and J. J. Badimon Atherothrombosis and High-Risk Plaque: Part I: Evolving Concepts J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 20, 2005; 46(6): 937 - 954. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Methe, J.-O. Kim, S. Kofler, M. Weis, M. Nabauer, and J. Koglin Expansion of Circulating Toll-Like Receptor 4-Positive Monocytes in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Circulation, May 24, 2005; 111(20): 2654 - 2661. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.H. Schoneveld, M.M. Oude Nijhuis, B. van Middelaar, J.D. Laman, D.P.V. de Kleijn, and G. Pasterkamp Toll-like receptor 2 stimulation induces intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerotic lesion development Cardiovasc Res, April 1, 2005; 66(1): 162 - 169. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Tobias and L. K. Curtiss Thematic review series: The Immune System and Atherogenesis. Paying the price for pathogen protection: toll receptors in atherogenesis J. Lipid Res., March 1, 2005; 46(3): 404 - 411. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. S. Michelsen, T. M. Doherty, P. K. Shah, and M. Arditi TLR Signaling: An Emerging Bridge from Innate Immunity to Atherogenesis J. Immunol., November 15, 2004; 173(10): 5901 - 5907. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Pasterkamp, Z. S. Galis, and D. P.V. de Kleijn Expansive Arterial Remodeling: Location, Location, Location Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., April 1, 2004; 24(4): 650 - 657. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 109/3/393    most recent 01.CIR.0000109140.51366.72v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire