Gene expression profiles in varicose veins using complementary DNA microarray

BACKGROUND. There has been little information reported about the genetic event concerning the pathophysiology of varicose vein (VV). OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to examine the differentiation of gene expression in the wall of VV using complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) microarrays. METHODS. The study was performed with four pairs of VVs and control veins (CVs). cDNA specimens of VVs were prepared from the ribonucleic acid-isolated VVs of patients who underwent venous obliteration, using radiofrequency, as well as from CVs of those who underwent aortocoronary bypass grafting. Each set of VVs and CVs was hybridized with high-density microarray containing 3,063 human cDNAs. The finding of microarray hybridization were scanned, analyzed, and classified with the cluster program. RESULTS. Among 3,063 cDNA clones, 82 genes were up-regulated in VVs, and some of the up-regulated genes, which were detected by cDNA microarray, including transforming growth factor beta-induced gene (BIGH3), tubulin, lumican, actinin, collagen type 1, versican, actin, and tropomyosin, belonged to extracelluar matrix molecules, cytoskeletal proteins, or myofibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS. Many up-regulated genes were found in VVs by applying cDNA microarray. These gene profiles suggested a pathway associated with fibrosis and that wound healing might be related to the pathophysiology of VVs.