The expression of atherosclerosis-related genes was assayed by quantitative real-time PCR, and the production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10 and IL-12 proteins was determined using ELISA.
In support of a causal role for col(V) autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, col(V) sensitization of ApoE(-/-) mice on a regular chow diet overcame IL-10-mediated inhibition of col(V) autoimmunity, leading to increased atherosclerotic burden in these mice and local accumulation of IL-17-producing cells, particularly in the col(V)-rich adventitia subjacent to the atheromas.
As a part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, we determined carotid artery compliance (CAC), stiffness index (SI) and Young's elastic modulus (YEM), intima media thickness (IMT), IL10 genotype and atherosclerosis risk parameters for 2260 subjects aged 24-39 years.
To better clarify the role of CD14 in atherosclerosis, we typed CD14 C-260T polymorphism in old Italian (Central of Italy) atherosclerotic patients with carotid stenosis related to lipid assessment, inflammation (soluble CD14, IL-6 serum levels) and IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, Metallothioneins (MT) gene expressions in carotid plaques.
These results may be due to the pleiotropic effects of the cytokines and/or differences in haplotype combination that should be investigated to elucidate the role of TGF-beta1 and IL-10 polymorphisms in atherosclerosis.
To elucidate the respective roles of DNA polymorphisms in genes that encode inflammatory markers (such as IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) and other factors that may affect the development of atherosclerosis (such as apolipoprotein E, transforming growth factor and fetuin-A), sufficiently powered studies are needed in which genotype, the protein product and the specific phenotype all are analysed in relation to outcome.