Increased expression of phosphorylated forms of heat‐shock protein‐27 and p38MAPK in macrophage‐rich regions of fibro‐fatty atherosclerotic lesions in the rabbit

• Published in: International journal of experimental pathology 2016-02, Vol.97 (1), p.56-65
• Main Authors: Shafi, Shahida, Codrington, Rosalind, Gidden, Lewis Michael, Ferns, Gordon Ashley Anthony
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta - metabolism; Aorta - pathology; atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - chemically induced; Atherosclerosis - metabolism; Cholesterol - metabolism; Disease Models, Animal; HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry - methods; macrophages; Macrophages - metabolism; Male; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - metabolism; Original; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases - metabolism; phosphorylated Hsp27 (Ser82) and p38MAPK; Phosphorylation; plaques; Rabbits
• ISSN: 0959-9673; 1365-2613
• DOI: 10.1111/iep.12167

Summary We aimed to assess the expression and distribution of Hsp27, pHsp27 (Ser82), p38MAPK and p‐p38MAPK in fibro‐fatty atherosclerotic lesions and the myocardium of hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed a high‐cholesterol diet for 18 weeks, maintaining serum cholesterol at approximately 20 mmol/l over this period. Aortic arch and myocardial tissues were analysed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence. Plasma Hsp27 levels were measured by ELISA. There was a significant increase in the expression of monomeric and dimeric forms of Hsp27, together with pHsp27 (Ser82), p38MAPK and p‐p38MAPK in the fibro‐fatty atherosclerotic lesions (P