Is the apolipoprotein E2 isoform associated with accelerated onset of coronary artery disease in systemic lupus erythematosus?
The distribution of Apo E genotypes in SLE is not significantly different from that of the North American population. In SLE, Apo E2 was associated with a more rapid development of CAD. Therefore, Apo E2 might interact with other disease-related factors to accelerate the onset of CAD in some patients with SLE and as such might be an additional marker of risk in this population.
Cavernous smooth muscle cells from rats of different ages secreted different amounts of VEGF and showed different abilities to respond to VEGF. Cavernous smooth muscle cells responded to VEGF in terms of cell proliferation and migration. Cavernous smooth muscle cells from rats of different ages expressed different levels of VEGFR-1 but did not express VEGFR-2.