Evaluation of TERT mRNA alternative spliced variants in aortic endothelial cells of the rabbit, in the fatty streaks stage of atherosclerosis

Abstract

Objectives — There are some lines of evidence about the role of telomeres in atherosclerotic plaque formation and development. Despite the role of telomerase in telomere elongation and protection, its role in atherosclerosis is not fully understood. The present study was designed to evaluate the importance of alternative splicing variants of TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) in the atherosclerosis process.

Methods and results — Six Dutch-Polish rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet, and six control animals a normal diet. Alternative splicing was assessed by RT-PCR in aortic endothelial cells of these rabbits. Fatty streaks formation was assessed by H & E staining of aortic tissues. There were no significant differences in variants of TERT in control and test animals; neither in endothelial cells nor in aortic vessel wall.

Conclusion — Our results demonstrated that a decrease in telomerase activity in atherosclerosis formation is not due to TERT gene alternative splicing.

Key Words:

• atherosclerosis
• telomere
• telomerase
• TERT
• alternative splicing