Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Vascular remodeling via apoptotic mechanisms is an important factor in vascular diseases. c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family and initiates apoptosis mainly via phosphorylation of the c-Jun transcription factor. We performed this study to clarify the roles of the JNK/c-Jun pathway and apoptosis in the pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: Cerebral aneurysms from 12 patients and control vessels from 5 patients were studied. We analyzed the expression of phosphorylated JNK and phosphorylated c-Jun in cerebral aneurysms by using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for phosphorylated JNK and phosphorylated c-Jun was increased in the vascular walls of the cerebral aneurysms studied. Immunoreactivity for single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (a marker of deoxyribonucleic acid damage) was also increased in aneurysmal tissue, compared with control vessels, and was colocalized with that for phosphorylated JNK and phosphorylated c-Jun in smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSION: These observations may lead to better understanding of the role of the JNK/c-Jun pathway in the development of cerebral aneurysms and to new strategies for treatment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 997-1004 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Neurosurgery |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2002 |
Keywords
- Apoptosis
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation
- Vascular remodeling
- c-Jun
- c-Jun amino-terminal kinase
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Clinical Neurology