Expression of angiogenic growth factors and structural proteins in Kazakh patients with ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms in Xinjiang

Abstract

Objective To evaluate differences in the expression of angiogenic growth factors( VEGF and TGF- a) and structural proteins (Collagen Ⅲ,Collagen Ⅳ,smooth muscle cell actin ) in Kazakh patients with ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms in Xinjiang,to discuss the possible mechanism of cerebral aneurysm growth and rupture.Method Twelve paired specimens( one ruptured and the other one was unruptured in same patient,total 24 specimens) of cerebral aneurysms which of them obtained during the surgery for Kazakh patients with multiple cerebral aneurysms and the five specimen from the cadavers were immunohistologically stained for angiogenic growth factors( VEGF and TGF - a) and structural proteins (Collagen Ⅲ,Collagen Ⅳ and smooth muscle cell actin).Results VEGF was not expressed in normal arterial walls,while expression was weak in unruptured ones and less significant in ruptured ones.TGF - a was expressed significantly in normal arterial walls,expressed less significantly in uuruptured aneurysm walls,and expression was weak in ruptured ones.Type Ⅲ and Type Ⅳ Collagen were expressed significantly in the normal arterial walls,expression was became less significant in unruptured aneurysm walls and expression was weak in ruptured ones.Smooth muscle cell actin was expressed significantly in the normal arterial walls,expression became less significant in unruptured aneurysm walls and expression was weak in ruptured ones.Conclusions Abnormal expression of angiogenic growth factors and degradation of structural proteins are one of the key mechanisms of cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture. Key words: Intracranial aneurysm; Angiogenic factors; Structural proteins