The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Thoracic Aortic Disease: Are They Indicators for the Pathogenesis of Dissections?

The pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm and dissection continues to be under discussion. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling processes in the aortic wall are hypothesized to be involved in the development of the disorders. Therefore, in a histological study, we investigated the expression of metalloproteases 1 and 9 (MMP1 and MMP9) and their inhibitors (TIMP 1 and TIMP 2) in cardiac surgery patients. In parallel, we studied the aortic roots by echocardiography. Clinical reports of 111 patients (30 women and 81 men) who suffered from aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection were evaluated and studied by transesophageal echocardiography. Seven patients who had coronary heart disease served as “healthy controls”. All patients underwent the necessary surgical procedure according to the diagnosed aortic disease in the period from 2007 to 2015. A tissue sample of the aortic biopsies was collected from each patient during surgery. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for MMP1 and MMP9 and TIMP1 and TIMP2 as well. Vascularization was monitored by a CD 31 antibody. In direct comparison, the expressions are not homogeneous. We found the smallest changes in the intima area at all. TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 distribution increases from the lumen of the vessel outward in the wall layers of the aorta. In the case of arteriosclerotic changes, intima had a capillarization, but not in the media. An opposite pattern was found in the dissected aortas. There are differences in the vascularization between the aneurysm and dissection and the different layers, respectively. A different remodeling process of the ECM in comparison to the vascular layers must be hypothesized. Reading the patterns of staining and with regard to the known inhibitory effect of MMP9 on ECM remodeling, but especially TIMP 2 on neoangiogenesis, disturbed nutrition, and dysfunctional vasa vasorum remodeling must be assumed as causes of dissection.