Abdominal aortic aneurysm is associated with high serum levels of tenascin-X and decreased aneurysmal tissue tenascin-X.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Tenascin-X is a large extracellular matrix protein that is abundantly expressed in several connective tissues. A 140-kDa C-terminal fragment of tenascin-X is present in human serum. Complete deficiency of tenascin-X is associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and these patients show major connective tissue alterations in their skin, as well as blood vessel fragility. In this study, we investigated whether tenascin-X is present in normal human aorta and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tissues and whether an association exists between serum tenascin-X levels and AAA.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Five normal aortas and 5 AAA tissues were immunostained for tenascin-X and elastin. Tenascin-X was present throughout the entire aorta and was especially abundant near the elastic lamellae, whereas tenascin-X expression was strongly decreased in AAA tissue. Measurement of tenascin-X serum concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 87 AAA patients and 86 controls demonstrated an increasing risk for AAA with increasing tenascin-X serum concentrations. After adjustment for established risk factors, tenascin-X serum concentrations in the highest quartile were associated with a 5-fold increase in risk of AAA (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 13.8).

CONCLUSIONS:

Tenascin-X expression is markedly decreased in AAA tissue, and AAA is associated with high serum concentrations of tenascin-X.

• Authors: Manon C Zweers, Anita C T M Peeters, Sietze Graafsma, Steef Kranendonk, J Adam van der Vliet, Martin den Heijer, Joost Schalkwijk
• Journal: Circulation (Circulation) Vol. 113 Issue 13 Pg. 1702-7 (Apr 04 2006) ISSN: 1524-4539 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16567571 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Tenascin
• tenascin X

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aorta (metabolism)
• Aorta, Abdominal (metabolism)
• Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal (blood, metabolism)
• Case-Control Studies
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Humans
• In Vitro Techniques
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osmolar Concentration
• Tenascin (blood, metabolism)
• Tissue Distribution