Article
Hyaluronan content of arteries in patients with cerebral aneurysm
Der Hyaluronan-Inhalt der Arterienwände von Patienten mit zerebralen Aneurysmen
Search Medline for
Authors
Published: | April 23, 2004 |
---|
Outline
Text
Objective
Hyaluronan (HA) is a highly hydrated macromolecule, which is one of the essential component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the arteries and it plays an important role in maintaining the biomechanical features of blood vessels. The aim of the study was to determine the alterations of the HA content in the wall of intracranial aneurysms, intra- and extracranial arteries.
Methods
A biotinylated aggrecan fragment that binds specifically to HA was used to stain samples from cerebral aneurysms to compare the HA distribution pattern to non-aneurysmal arteries of patients who had intracranial aneurysm and to histologically normal intra- and extracranial arteries of patients who expired from non-vascular diseases. Aneurysmal samples originated either from neurosurgical operations after clipping the aneurysm, or from autopsy. Intra- and extracranial arteries were removed by autopsy. For quantitative analysis of the hyaluronan content in these samples, digital microscopic densitometry was applied.
Results
Highest HA-level was detected in aneurysms, but it was also higher in the investigated arteries of patients having an aneurysm, than in the normal arteries. Not only the cerebral arteries, but the extracranial arteries also had elevated HA levels comparing them to the normal arteries.
Conclusions
The results suggest the hypothesis that an elevated hyaluronan level in the extracellular matrix may effect the cerebral arterial wall architecture. It is reasonable to suppose that the increased hyaluronan content creates a viscoelastic ECM which could improve the biomechanical features of the vessel walls. The changes of HA content in intra- and extracranial arteries of patients with cerebral aneurysm refer to the general alterations of the ECM in this disease.