动脉粥样硬化斑块中平滑肌细胞凋亡及凋亡相关基因的表达

为了揭示动脉粥样硬化发生发展过程中血管平滑肌细胞增殖与凋亡的关系及其调节机制，采用末端脱氧核糖核酸转移酶介导的dUTP缺口末端标记（TUNEL）染色法对家兔动脉粥样硬化斑块组织中平滑肌细胞的凋亡情况进行原位检测，并对原癌基因bcl-2、c-myc和P53在斑块组织中的表达活性进行North－ernblot分析。结果发现，在动脉粥样硬化斑块组织中有许多TUNEL染色阳性的平滑肌细胞，提示斑块组织中有平滑肌细胞凋亡发生：其斑块组织的DNA电泳图谱呈梯形状．符合细胞凋亡的特征性改变。Northern印迹分析表明，在动脉粥样硬化斑块组织中，原癌基因bck-2和P53的表达较正常组织增强，C－myc表达减低。提示这些基因的表达对动脉粥样硬化斑块组织中的平滑肌细胞凋亡起着重要的调节作用。

Apoptosis and Expression of Related Genes of Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerotic Plaques

Aim To study the apoptosis and the expressions of protooncogenes bcl-2, P53 and c-myc of the smooth muscle cells (SMC ) derived from rabbit atherosclerotic (As) plaques. Methods Cell apoptosis was in sute detected with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. Expressions of protooncogenes bcl-2, c-myc and P53 were observed by Northern blotting.Results It was found that a lot of SMC were positively stained with TUNEL in As plaque tissues. The DNA electropherosis of the plaque tissues showed a ladder pattern. Northern hybridization showed that expressions of protooncogenes bcl-2 and P53 in the plaque tissues were markedly increased, compared with the normal tissues, but the expression of c-myc was decreased. Conclusion Apoptosis of SMC existed in the As plaques. The expressions of protooncogenes bcl-2 - cmyc and P53 play a important role in regulating the apoptosis of SMC in the As plaques.