Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica (Apr 2010)
Influence of thrombophlebitis on TGF-β1 and its signaling pathway in the vein wall
Abstract
Extensive extracellular matrix remodeling of the vein wall is involved in varicose veins pathogenesis. Thisprocess is controlled by numerous factors, including peptide growth factors. The aim of the study was to evaluate influenceof thrombophlebitis on TGF-β1 and its signaling pathway in the vein wall. TGF-β1 mRNAlevels, growth factor content andits expression were evaluated by RT-PCR, ELISA, and western blot methods, respectively, in the walls of normal veins, varicoseveins and varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis. Western blot analysis was used to assess TGF-β receptortype II (TGF-β RII) and p-Smad2/3 protein expression in the investigated material. Unchanged mRNA levels of TGF-β1,decreased TGF-β1 content, as well as decreased expression of latent and active forms of TGF-β1 were found in varicoseveins. Increased expression of TGF-β RII and p-Smad2/3 were found in varicose veins. Thrombophlebitis led to increasedprotein expression of the TGF-β1 active form and p-Smad2/3 in the vein wall compared to varicose veins. TGF-β1 may playa role in the disease pathogenesis because of increased expression and activation of its receptor in the wall of varicose veins.Thrombophlebitis accelerates activation of TGF-β1 and activity of its receptor in the varicose vein wall.
