Increased JNK in males compared with females in a rodent model of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Paul D. Dimusto, Guanyi Lu, Abhijit Ghosh, Karen J. Roelofs, Omar Sadiq, Brendan McEvoy, Gang Su, Adriana Laser, Castigliano M. Bhamidipati, Gorav Ailawadi, Peter K. Henke, Jonathan L. Eliason, Gilbert R. Upchurch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: In humans, there is a 4:1 male:female ratio in the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) is an important upstream regulator of several enzymes involved in AAA formation, including the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a gender difference between males and females in JNK during AAA formation. Materials and Methods: Male and female C57/B6 mice underwent aortic perfusion with elastase or heat inactivated elastase with aortas harvested at d 3 and 14 for phenotype determination, RT-PCR, Western blot, and zymography. Additionally, in vitro experiments using siRNA were conducted to define JNK regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). A t-test was used to compare between groups. Results: Males formed larger AAAs at d 14 compared with females (P < 0.001), with significantly higher levels of JNK1 protein, proMMP9, proMMP2, and active MMP2. At d 3, males had more JNK1 mRNA, protein, and MMP activity. Knockdown of JNK 1 or 2 in vitro decreased MMP activity, while knockdown of JNK 1 and 2 together blocked all MMP activity. Conclusion: Alterations in JNK between genders is partially responsible for the differential rates of experimental AAA formation, likely through differential regulation of MMPs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)687-695
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume176
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • JNK
  • abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • elastase model
  • gender
  • rodent

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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