Pressure-induced expression of immediate-early gene product c-Jun of the common carotid arteries in rats / 生物医学工程学杂志

ABSTRACT

In order to investigate the mechanism of mechanical stress-mediated arterial remodeling, we studied the pressure-induced expression of immediate-early response gene product c-Jun in common carotid arteries in rats. The common carotid arteries were perfused with both high pressure (160 mmHg) and normal pressure (80 mmHg) for 0.5, 1, 3 and 6 hours. Expression of immediate-early response gene product c-Jun in the arteries was examined by immunohistochemistry and computer image processing. c-Jun was weakly expressed at 1 h, then increased at 3 h and 6 h after exposure of the arteries to normal pressure. Positive immunohistochemical product of c-Jun appeared in the arteries at 0.5 h after the onset of high pressure, then it increased markedly till 6 h. There was significant difference between the two groups. These results indicate that expression of c-Jun of the arteries can be induced by pressure, which may play an important role in mechanical stress-mediated arterial remodeling.