TGF-β ₁ Upregulation in the Aging Varicose Vein

Abstract

Background: Although the etiology of venous insufficiency is not well understood, immune response and aging are beginning to emerge as contributing factors. Factors involved in tissue remodeling such as TGF-β₁ also seem to play an important role in extracellular matrix production. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between chronic venous insufficiency and TGF-β₁ examining the latent/mature form of TGF-β₁ and the presence of mast cells. Effects of age were also evaluated. Methods: Saphenous veins were obtained from patients subjected to aortocoronary bypass (controls) and undergoing varicose vein surgery. These were immunolabeled using anti-LAP TGF-β₁/anti-TGF-β₁ antibodies and subjected to Western blot. Mast cell population was identified by metachromatic staining. Results:Latent TGF-β₁ was significantly reduced in varicose veins from older subjects. In contrast, smooth muscle cells obtained from the varicosities showed intense levels. Mature TGF-β₁ significantly differed between healthy and varicose veins. No mature TGF-β₁ was detected in the cell cultures. Mast cell number and degranulation were increased with aging and varicose disease, colocalizing with the mature form of TGF-β₁. Conclusion: Aging and varicose pathology induce dysregulation of TGF-β₁ that could play an important role in the fibrous process, representing the final stages of venous insufficiency.

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): JVR

Journal ID (nlm-ta): J Vasc Res

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.1018-1172

Title: Journal of Vascular Research

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Print): 1018-1172

ISSN (Electronic): 1423-0135

Publication date Subscription-year: 2007

Publication date (Print): April 2007

Publication date (Electronic): 27 February 2007

Volume: 44

Issue: 3

Pages: 192-201

Affiliations

Departments of ^aMedical Specialities and ^bSurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcala, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

Article

Publisher ID: 100375 Other ID: J Vasc Res 2007;44:192–201

DOI: 10.1159/000100375

PubMed ID: 17337905

Copyright statement: © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

License:

Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

Page count

Figures: 7, References: 37, Pages: 10

Product

Self URI (application/pdf): https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/100375

Self URI (text/html): https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/100375

Self URI (journal page): https://www.karger.com/SubjectArea/Cardiovascular-System

Categories

Subject: Research Paper