Expression of decorin in human AAA.

<p>(<b>A-B</b>) Protein samples were obtained from the aortic walls of human AAA specimens (n = 47) and non-aneurysmal specimens (Control, n = 4). Representative results from western blot detection of decorin are shown (<b>A</b>) with the corresponding quantitative analysis (<b>B</b>). GAPDH served as an internal control. Data are mean ± SD. *<i>p</i><0.05 compared to Control. (<b>C</b>) The correlation between the protein levels of decorin and MMP-9 was examined and the quantitative analysis is shown (Pearson r = 0.68, n = 51, <i>p</i>< 0.001). (<b>D</b>) The correlation between the protein levels of decorin and TGF-β was examined and the quantitative analysis is shown (Pearson r = 0.39, n = 51, <i>p</i>< 0.01). (<b>E</b>) Representative histological and immunohistochemical stains are shown for human AAA wall specimens. The luminal surface is oriented toward the top of each panel. HE and EVG stains depict cell nuclei (blue-black) and elastin network (black), respectively. The localization of decorin and MMP-9 is indicated by red staining. M: media, A: adventitia. (<b>F-G</b>) Representative images of immunofluorescence staining for decorin (red) and CD68 (macrophage marker, green, <b>F</b>) or α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (smooth muscle cell marker, green, <b>G</b>). Yellow in the merged images indicates overlapping localization of the red and green signals.