Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in transplantation-associated arteriosclerosis by observing their expression in transplanted aortas in rats. Allogenic and isogenic abdominal aortic transplantations were performed and grafts were removed from the recipients at the designated time points (day 7, 14, 28 and 56 post transplantation). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and western blot analysis were used to evaluate the grafts. Significant proliferation of the intima was observed in the allogenic transplantation groups (P<0.05). The expressions of MMPs and TIMPs in the allografts were significantly increased compared with the isografts, and the suppression of MMP2 in allografts reduced injury after transplantation. The present study concluded that the imbalance of MMPs and TIMPs led to the disturbance of synthesis and the degradation of the extracellular matrix and it may represent a key cause of chronic rejection.