Figure 3
Expression and localization of NPC2, IGFBP7, and THBS1 in aortic tissues. (A) Protein levels of THBS1, IGFBP7, and NPC2 in aortic tissues of NVDCs and those of three different stages (Stages A, B, and C) of TAAA patients were determined by western blotting analysis. ACTB was used as an internal control. Arrows indicate the predicted positions of THBS1 (129 kDa), IGFBP7 (29 kDa), NPC2 (17 kDa), and ACTB (42 kDa), respectively. Whole gel images are presented in Supplementary Fig. 2. (B) Immunohistochemical analyses of NPC2, IGFBP7, and THBS1 (first, second, and third row, respectively); Staining data for normal aortas of NVDCs are shown in a, e, and i of the left column, while those of TAAAs are shown in b-d of the first, f-h of the second, and j-l of the third rows. Arrows in d indicate NPC2-positive foam cells. Arrows in f, g, and h indicate IGFBP7-positive foam cells, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, respectively. Arrowheads in g indicate IGFBP7-positive smooth muscle cells. The asterisks in e and g indicate the lumenal region. NVDC, non-vascular disease control; TAAA, thoracic atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm.
