Research on the relationship between activator protein-1、 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor and human carotid atherosclerotic plaques

Objective To investigate changes in the expressions of activator protein-1(AP-1)、and macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques,and to explore the roles of them in on the formation and stability of the carotid atherosclerotic plaque and underlying mechanism.Methods 60 cases of carotid atherosclerotic plaque specimens(test group,group A)and 30 specimens of patients with mesenteric artery(control group,group B)were collected after operation.The carotid plaque specimens were divided into soft plaque(group A1,n=20),mixed plaque(group A2,n=20),and hard plaque(group A3,n=20)according to the result of carotid artery ultrasound.The expressions of c-Jun were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot assay,which reflect the expressions of AP-1.The MIF level was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results(1)The expressions of c-Jun mRNA and protein were significantly increased in carotid atherosclerotic plaques compared with control tissues(P0.05).Group A1 exhibited higher mRNA and protein expression than group A3(P0.05).There were not significant difference between group A2 compared with groupA1 and A3 were not significantly difference(P0.05).(2)The level of MIF was significantly increased in carotid atherosclerotic plaques compared with healthy control tissues(P0.05).Group A1 was significantly higher than group A3(P0.05);There were not significant difference between group A2 compared with groupA1 and A3 were not significantly difference(P0.05).(3) The level of MIF was significantly and positively correlated with c-Jun in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques(r=0.759,P0.01).Conclusion Ap-1 and MIF are associated with the formation and stability of human carotid atherosclerotic plaques.AP-1 and MIF may be factors that call can predict human carotid atherosclerotic plaques progression.AP-1 and MIF are the useful predictors for human carotid atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques.