High glucose alters matrix metalloproteinase expression in two key vascular cells: potential impact on atherosclerosis in diabetes

• Published in: Atherosclerosis Vol. 168; no. 2; pp. 263 - 269
• Main Authors: Death, Alison K., Fisher, Elizabeth J., McGrath, Kristine C.Y., Yue, Dennis K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-06-2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Arteriosclerosis - physiopathology; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cells, Cultured; Diabetic Angiopathies - physiopathology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium; Endothelium, Vascular - cytology; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - enzymology; Glucose - administration & dosage; High glucose; Humans; Macrophages; Macrophages - drug effects; Macrophages - enzymology; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - genetics; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 - metabolism; Matrix metalloproteinases; Matrix Metalloproteinases - metabolism; Medical sciences; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 - genetics; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 - metabolism; Matrix metalloproteinases; Macrophages; Atherosclerosis; Endothelium; High glucose; Endocrinopathy; Human; Cell culture; Stromelysin 1; Enzyme; Pathogenesis; Diabetes mellitus; Cardiovascular disease; Metalloendopeptidases; Glucose; Gelatinase B; Gelatinase A; Vascular disease; Peptidases; Risk factor; Hydrolases; Interstitial collagenase
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9150(03)00140-0

Diabetes is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Hyperglycemia is an underlying contributing factor; however, the mechanisms that mediate the vascular complications are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we provide evidence that elevated glucose induces discordant matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression from two key vascular cells, endothelial cells and macrophages. Our results clearly indicate that high glucose (25 mM) induced endothelial cell expression and activity of the collagenase, MMP-1 and the gelatinase, MMP-2, whilst reducing expression of the stromelysin, MMP-3 (
P<0.05). Similarly, our results show that high glucose (25 mM) induces expression and activity of MMP-9 from monocyte-derived macrophages (
P<0.05). High glucose culture did not affect metalloproteinase inhibitor (TIMP-1) expression. Our results suggest for the first time that high glucose exposure induced discordant regulation of the MMP/TIMP system in vascular cells. The increased MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities induced by high glucose exposure could promote matrix degradation thereby accelerating atherogenesis and potentially reducing plaque stability in diabetes.