Expression and significance of transcription factor activator protein-2 in Buerger’s disease

Abstract:

Objective：To investigate the expression and distribution of transcription factor activator protein-2（AP-2） in Buerger’s dis－ease. Methods：Lumbar sympathetic ganglia were sampled in a total 23 patients with Buerger’s disease between January 2011 and March 2012. Gene and protein expression of AP-2 in the lumbar sympathetic ganglia neurons was observed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Distribution principles of AP-2 in the lumbar sympathetic ganglia neurons were observed by immunohistochemical methods. Twelve normal lumbar sympathetic ganglia were processed by the same way. Results：RT-PCR and Western blot results demonstrated that AP-2 gene and protein expression levels in Buerger’s disease tissues were significantly different from those in normal tissues（P<0.05）. Immunohistochemical result demonstrated that AP-2 expressions in Buerger’s disease tissues were higher than those in normal tissues，mainly distributed in the nucleus. Conclusions：AP-2 level increases in patients with Buerger’s disease，indicating that AP-2 plays an important role in the occurrence and development of Buerger’s disease.