TIMP-2 and PAI-1 mRNA levels are lower in aneurysmal as compared to athero-occlusive abdominal aortas

Abstract

The remodeling of the aortic wall in AAA and AOD involves gene activation of a large and similar spectrum of proteolytic enzymes while the expression of two physiological inhibitors, TIMP-2 and PAI-1, is significantly lower in AAA compared to AOD. The repair process in the aneurysmal disease seems similar to that of the occlusive disease.