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#1. Curci JA, Liao S, Huffman MD, Shapiro SD, Thompson RW.
Expression and Localization of Macrophage Elastase (MMP-12)
in AAA.
Comment by mdt: Add another MMP to the list of proteinases that may be
matrix destructive in AAA disease.
2. Allaire E, Forough R, Clowes M, Starcher B, Clowes AW. Local
overexpression of TIMP-1 prevents aortic aneurysm and rupture
in a rat model.
Comment by mdt: Years ago we thought mutation in the gene for TIMP-1
might be a candidate for the AAA causative mutation, so we
sequenced the cDNA in 6 patients. At first we were excited to
find that 2 of the 6 had an identical point transition, and
then we figured out that it was in the 3rd position of the
codon, so the elation had been premature. THe finding was
trivial.
Here, Clowes and associates show that transfection of the
decellularized guinea pig aorta with syngeneic rat
SMC's retrovirally transfected with TIMP-1 cDNA (and overexpressing
the gene product), protects the graft from aneurysmal degeneration
when transplanted orthotopically to the aorta of the Fisher
344 rat. Interesting .... A biomolecular tour de force (or
a most impressive stunt?) !!!