Background: We have recently identified basic transcription factor-binding protein 2 (BTEB2), which is involved in phenotypic modulation of vascular vascular smooth muscle cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of BTEB2 in cardiac allograft vascular disease.
Methods: Heterotopic cardiac transplantation was performed in rats. All grafts were stained with antibodies against for BTEB2 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 for immunohistochemical study. The intensity of BTEB2 expression was also calculated.
Results: In the allografts at 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation, smooth muscle cells were positive for BTEB2 in the diffusely thickened coronary arteries and the perivascular space. BTEB2 expression was closely associated with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 expression. The BTEB2 expression score was significantly higher in the allografts compared with the isografts.
Conclusions: The induced expression of BTEB2 may play a potential role in the development of the cardiac allograft vascular disease.