Expression of tissue factor,tissue factor pathway inhibitor in the atherosclerotic plaque on femoral artery of New Zealand rabbits

AIM: To observe the regulatory changes of tissue factor (TF),tissue factor pathway inhibitor-1 (TFPI-1) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) associated with the formation of atherosclerotic plaque on femoral artery of New Zealand rabbits.METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were fed with high cholesterol diet and received femoral artery balloon injury to establish moderated atherosclerotic plaque animal model.These rabbits were classified into 8 weeks group,10 weeks group and 12 weeks group.The expressions of factor TF,TFPI-1 and TFPI-2 in femoral artery were detected by immunohistochemical methods at 8th,10th and 12th week.The positive areas of the slice were analyzed by semi-quantification system.Fluorescence quantification PCR (FQ-PCR) was used to detect the copies of mRNA of TF,TFPI-1 and TFPI-2 in each group.RESULTS: The expressions of TF,TFPI-1 and TFPI-2 determined by immunohistochemical methods were increased from 8th,10th to 12th week,respectively.In each group,the quantity of mRNA of TF and TFPI-1 at the 8th,10th and 12th week was soared,respectively.In each group,the quantity of mRNA of TFPI-2 did not change in early phase,but decreased at 12th week.CONCLUSION: In the process of the atherosclerotic plaque formation in rabbit femoral artery model,the expressions of TFPI-1 and TFPI-2 proteins are increased.However,the expression of TPFI-1 or TFPI-2 could not stave off the development of plaque formation.