Histological analysis of the involvement of matrix metalloproteinase -9 (MMP -9) in osteoporotic bones of animals that develop atherosclerosis

• Grant number: 15/18836-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2016
• End date: November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Aline de Azevedo
• Grantee: Lucas Oliveira Monteiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects thousands of people in the worldwide, losing only to cardiovascular disease; however, both conditions represent a serious public health problem. Recent studies in the literature indicate a correlation between osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis, but the factors that interconnect are unknown. Findings in the literature showed that the matrix metalloproteinase-9, MMP-9, has been described as overexpressed in vivo and in vitro studies in the cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. The hypothesis is that MMP-9 is a key molecule for the development and progression of both pathogenesis and for this reason; we will investigate the role of this protease using models of animals, the knockout mice ApoE -/- (apolipoprotein E) that development osteoporosis in which is deficient the osteoprotegerin gene (OPG) involved in the bone turnover. In this project, we will examine the microarchitecture and bone quality through histological analysis and immunohistochemistry. The discovery of a molecule responsible for associate these two conditions and their characterization can be target for future therapies.