The evaluation of endoglin, vcam-1 and p-selectin expression and co-expression in aortas of apoe-deficient mice – An immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Objectives: Endoglin, an accessory receptor of TGF-β signaling pathway is a homodimeric transmembrane glycoprotein that has been demonstrated to play a role in vascular physiology and pathology including atherosclerosis. It was also demonstrated that endoglin is involved in inflammation and plays a role in leukocyte adhesion and transmigration in vitro and in vivo. Thus, in this study, we wanted to evaluate endoglin expression in two different parts of aorta (heart aortic sinus and ascending aorta) and assess its potential co-expression with cell adhesion molecules in aortas of apoE-deficient mice.