Interleukin-8 Mediates Downregulation of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Expression in Cholesterol-Loaded Human Macrophages

Abstract

Immunohistochemical analyses of human atherosclerotic plaques revealed the expression of TIMP-1 in some but not all macrophage-rich and IL-8-rich areas. Therefore, IL-8 may play a potential atherogenic role by inhibiting local TIMP-1 expression, thereby leading to an imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs at focal sites in the atherosclerotic plaque.