Heparin modulates the composition of the extracellular matrix domain surrounding arterial smooth muscle cells

Heparin and related molecules influence vascular wall structure by their ability to inhibit smooth muscle cell (smc) proliferation and migration. However, little is known as to whether heparin has an effect on the extracellular matrix. In the present study, the effect of heparin on the content and regional distribution of elastin, collagen, and proteoglycans (PGs) in blood vessels following experimental injury was determined. Two groups of rats were subjected to left common carotid balloon injury and were infused with either 0.9% saline or heparin in a saline solution, for 2 weeks. Using a new morphometric method of analysis, the authors determined changes in volumes of elastin, collagen, and PGs contained within an 'extracellular matrix domain (ECM domain),' the average envelope of connective tissue surrounding each smc. Heparin treatment inhibited intimal thickening and decreased the elastin content in the ECM domain in the upper and lower arterial intima. Collagen also was found to be significantly decreased 5.0-fold and 7.6-fold in the ECM domains of upper and lower intima, respectively, of heparin-treated animals. The decrease in both elastin and collagen was balanced by a significant increase in amorphous and filamentous electron-dense material. Heparin also caused a significant 1.8-fold and 1.9-fold increase in the PG content in the ECM domain in the upper and lower intima, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis, using antibodies to elastin and PG subclasses, supported the morphometric observations. This study has shown that heparin administered in vivo can alter the accumulation and distribution of each of the major vascular ECM components in a specific and differential manner.     

Kinetics of cellular proliferation after arterial injury. II. Inhibition of smooth muscle growth by heparin

Heparin inhibits intimal thickening after arterial injury. Whether this effect is due to inhibition of medial smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration, SMC proliferation in the intima, or synthesis and deposition of connective tissue has not been evident. In this study we have investigated these possibilities in a rat carotid balloon injury model. Heparin (0.3 mg/kg/hour) was administered intravenously by means of osmotic pumps to experimental animals, and controls received lactated Ringer's solution. Smooth muscle proliferation (thymidine index), intimal smooth muscle accumulation, and endothelial regeneration were measured at intervals between 0 and 28 days. Total smooth muscle growth as determined biochemically at 14 days was markedly inhibited by heparin if the pumps were placed 24 hours before or at the time of injury and less so if inserted 48 or 96 hours after injury. SMC thymidine indices were maximal in the media at 4 days and in the intima at 7 days for injured arteries of both heparin-treated and control rats; at each time point SMC proliferation and intimal thickening were less in heparin-treated rats. The volume of connective tissue in the intima was the same in both groups at 28 days. Medial SMC migration into the intima was diminished by heparin treatment, but endothelial regeneration was not affected. These results support the hypothesis that heparin is a specific inhibitor of SMC migration and proliferation and is most effective if started before SMC enter S-phase.     

氟伐他汀抑制球囊损伤后兔的血管内膜增殖

目的：探讨兔髂动脉急性损伤后，氟伐他汀对血管内膜增殖的抑制作用及机制。 方法： 给新西兰大耳白兔行右髂动脉球囊导管内膜剥脱术，术后灌胃予氟伐他汀（8 mg·kg-1·d-1）治疗28 d，术前、术后3 h及3 d用放射免疫法测定血清中内皮素-1、血栓素A2和前列环素浓度；28 d后HE染色观察血管内膜增生情况，免疫组织化学方法检测细胞外基质的变化。结果： ① 兔髂动脉急性损伤后血清内皮素-1及血栓素A2浓度即明显增加，前列环素水平则显著下降；氟伐他汀治疗显著抑制内皮素-1和血栓素A2的升高；提高血清前列环素的水平；② 氟伐他汀治疗减轻了内膜TGF-β1的过度表达及细胞外基质（FN、LN）的沉积；③ 氟伐他汀显著抑制了内膜的增殖和肥厚。结论：氟伐他汀治疗抑制血管损伤后血栓的形成，减轻了内膜的增殖及内膜中细胞外基质的沉积。     

A nonantibiotic chemically modified tetracycline (CMT-3) inhibits intimal thickening

Recent research has shown that the tetracycline antibiotics are pluripotent drugs that inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and affect many cellular functions including proliferation, migration, and matrix remodeling. We have shown that doxycycline inhibits MMP activity and intimal thickening after injury of the rat carotid artery, however we do not know whether these effects are because of the antibiotic, anti-MMP, or other actions of doxycycline. Recently, chemically modified tetracyclines have been synthesized that lack antibiotic activity but retain anti-MMP activity (CMT-3), or lack both antibiotic and anti-MMP activity (CMT-5). In the current study we have assessed the effects of treatment with CMT-3 or CMT-5 on intimal thickening after balloon catheter injury of the rat carotid artery. Rats were treated by oral gavage with 15 mg/kg/day CMT-3 or CMT-5. CMT-3 significantly reduced smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation in both the medial and intimal layers of the injured rat carotid artery compared to CMT-5. Furthermore, CMT-3 inhibited SMC migration from the media to the intima by 86% at 4 days after injury. CMT-3 also decreased MMP-2 activity. Finally, we found that CMT-3 treatment resulted in a significant reduction in intimal cross-sectional area from 0.23 +/- 0.01 mm(2) in the CMT-5 control group to 0.19 +/- 0.01 mm(2). There was also a reduction in elastin and collagen accumulation within the intima. We conclude that CMT-3 attenuated intimal thickening after arterial injury by inhibiting SMC proliferation, migration and MMP activity, and accumulation of extracellular matrix. The inhibitory effects of CMT-3 were independent of the antibiotic properties, but were dependent on the anti-MMP activity of the tetracycline family.     

Characterization of nonmuscle cells present in the intima of normal adult bovine pulmonary artery

In this study, the presence of cells in the intimal region of normal adult bovine pulmonary artery (BPA) was examined by analysis of longitudinal sections at the level of light and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the morphological and immunohistochemical phenotype of these cells as well as the presence of particular extracellular matrix (ECM) components in this region were also determined. Since ECM production and cell proliferation have been demonstrated to be regulated by locally released growth factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), the presence of TGFbeta-1 in this region was also investigated. Our findings reveal the presence of immature or "nonmuscle" cells into the subendothelial space of normal adult BPA. These cells were characterized by the presence of abundant cytoplasmic organelles and scanty microfilaments. Such cells were negative to antibodies against smooth muscle alpha actin (SM alpha-actin), 1E12, and vWf, but not to vimentin. Similar cells have recently been detected in normal adult BPA and canine carotid arteries, but in the medial region. Because of their location in these elastic arteries, the nonmuscle cells are involved not only in the remodeling of the medial region, but also in the neointima or intimal thickening formation by migration from the media to the subendothelial space, where they proliferate and secrete ECM components. However, a limited number of morphological studies and the current investigation describe the presence of scattered nonmuscle cells within the intima of some normal elastic arteries. This would suggest an important role for these resident cells within the intima in normal and pathological processes as well. In addition, our results show the presence, in this region, of TGFbeta-1 and of ECM components that include collagen, elastin, fibronectin, and laminin which are present in normal conditions and during the intima formation in vivo.     

Thrombospondin deposition in rat carotid artery injury.

The balloon catheter injury model was used to determine the relative contributions of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) and platelets to thrombospondin (TSP) antigen deposition in the artery wall. Rat carotid arteries were denuded of endothelium, exposing the thrombogenic subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) to the circulation. Rats were killed after 1 hour, or 5, 10, or 20 days. Thrombospondin antigen deposition in the injured arteries was assessed using a specific polyclonal antiserum raised in rabbit against rat platelet TSP and a sensitive silver-enhanced immunogold staining method. Faint immunostaining for TSP antigen was detected, associated mostly with cells, in the media of the carotid artery of the nonoperated controls. One hour after balloon catheter injury, however, prominent cell-associated immunostaining was evident in the media; extracellular matrix staining was negligible. At this time, large foci of immunostaining were present on the lumenal surface of the vessel. Intimal proliferation was evident on most stained sections of tissue taken 5 days after balloon injury. Thrombospondin antigen immunostaining was markedly increased compared to nonoperated controls in all sections, regardless of the degree of intimal thickening. Thrombospondin immunostaining remained associated with cells in the neointima and media; extracellular matrix staining remained negligible. Ten days after endothelial injury, immunostaining for TSP antigen was detected in all layers of the artery, but was greater in the neointima and media. Reaction product was still associated only with cells. Thrombospondin antigen levels, as detected by this procedure, remained high in the injured tissue through 10 days of observation but appeared less prominent 20 days after injury. At this time extracellular matrix staining was obvious and cell-associated staining was reduced. These data support the hypotheses that thrombospondin (TSP) expression by vascular smooth muscle cells is an early response to injury and that the primary source of TSP antigen in injured artery is the vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). These results support data derived from in vitro studies of TSP secretion.     

瑞舒伐他汀对大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后细胞凋亡的影响

目的观察瑞舒伐他汀对大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后细胞凋亡的影响。方法36只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、损伤组和治疗组,每组12只。损伤组和治疗组分别建立大鼠左侧颈动脉球囊损伤模型,右侧颈动脉未予球囊损伤。治疗组于损伤前3d始连续每天给予瑞舒伐他汀5mg／（kg·d）灌胃,对照组和损伤组予9g／L氯化钠溶液灌胃。术后14d取左侧颈总动脉,进行HE染色和末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的生物素-dUTP缺口标记技术（Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin—dUTP nick end labeling,TUNEL）的凋亡检测。结果共30只大鼠成功完成本次实验。①血管损伤14d,可见明显的新生内膜;损伤组和治疗组的内膜面积、内膜／中膜面积的比值较对照组增大（P〈0．05）;与损伤组比较,治疗组内膜／中膜面积的比值减少,管腔面积增加26％（P〈0．05）。②对照组血管偶可见单个散在的凋亡细胞;损伤组凋亡细胞阳性率为（12．3±1．8）％,与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;治疗组凋亡细胞数目增多,凋亡细胞阳性率达（26．8±3．2）％,与损伤组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。凋亡细胞主要位于新生内膜。结论瑞舒伐他汀可抑制大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后的内膜增生,可促进大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后的细胞凋亡。瑞舒伐他汀促进细胞凋亡的作用可能与其抑制内膜增生有关。     

Vascular smooth muscle cells from injured rat aortas display elevated matrix production associated with transforming growth factor-beta activity.

The arterial response to injury is characterized by a short period of increased proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, followed by an extended period of extracellular matrix accumulation in the intima. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been implicated as a causative factor in the formation of extracellular matrix in this process, which leads to progressive thickening of the intima, known as intimal hyperplasia. In vitro analysis of vascular smooth muscle cells harvested from normal rat aortas and from aortas injured 14 days earlier showed that both types of cells attached equally well to culture dishes but that the initial spreading of the cells was increased in cells derived from injured vessels. Cells from the injured arteries produced more fibronectin and proteoglycans into the culture medium than the cells from normal arteries and contained more TGF-beta 1 mRNA. TGF-beta 1 increased proteoglycan synthesis by normal smooth muscle cells, and the presence of a neutralizing anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody reduced proteoglycan synthesis by the cells from injured arteries in culture. Fibronectin synthesis was not altered by these treatments. These results indicate that the accumulation of extracellular matrix components in neointimal lesions is at least partially caused by autocrine TGF-beta activity in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Selective deposits of versican in the extracellular matrix of restenotic lesions from human peripheral arteries.

Although a large percentage of the volume of human restenotic arterial lesions is occupied by extracellular matrix (ECM), the composition and organization of this ECM are not well characterized. In this study, restenotic segments taken from 30 human peripheral arteries by directional atherectomy at times ranging from 13 days to 36 months after angioplasty were analyzed for specific patterns of ECM composition and organization by light and electron microscopic histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Histochemical analysis revealed the presence of distinct zones, enriched either in proteoglycans or fibrillar collagen. Most sections contained these regions juxtaposed to each other. The frequency of these two distinct ECMs did not change as a function of time after angioplasty. The collagen-rich zone usually contained elongated smooth muscle cells spaced close together except in regions resembling fibrous plaques. The proteoglycan-rich ECM contained both elongated and stellate-shaped smooth muscle cells randomly arranged and separated by wide distances. This region resembled the loose-connective-tissue-containing myxoid region typical of restenotic lesions. Immunohistochemical analysis of these regions revealed that the proteoglycan-containing zone stained intensely for versican, a large interstitial chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, whereas the collagen-containing areas were mostly negative for versican but positive for type I collagen. The versican-positive regions also immunostained for biglycan, a small leucine-rich dermatan sulfate proteoglycan, and sparsely for elastin. However, both of these ECM molecules were present in the versican-negative type I collagen-positive regions of the lesions. These results suggest that the development of restenotic lesions involves localized deposits of specific ECM molecules that may play a role in the asymmetric renarrowing of this tissue after angioplasty.     

人冠状动脉硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖的分布和变化与动脉粥样硬化形成的关系

目的：观察、探讨硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖在正常及有动脉粥样硬化病变的人冠状动脉内的分布和对巨噬细胞脂质摄入的影响及其与动脉粥样硬化形成的关系。方法：应用免疫组化染色观察正常和动脉粥样硬化病变的人冠状动脉内硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖的分布;应用酶－荧光法,检测培养的巨噬细胞内胆固醇含量。结果：（１）硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖主要分布于正常冠状动脉内膜近腔面的１／３处,多定位于内皮基底膜及内膜细胞的细胞膜周围;于动脉粥样硬化病变（脂纹及斑块）内其分布密度下降,尤其是在病变深层的泡沫细胞周围分布稀少。（２）硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖能抑制巨噬细胞内脂质的聚集。结论：动脉内膜中硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖分布的减少可能与巨噬细胞易于摄入脂质转变为泡沫细胞有关,对动脉粥样硬化早期病变的形成和发展可能具有重要作用。     

Glomerular cells, extracellular matrix accumulation, and the development of glomerulosclerosis in the remnant kidney model.

Expansion of the mesangial extracellular matrix (ECM) with subsequent glomerular sclerosis is a prominent finding in most progressive renal diseases. To investigate the chronology of accumulation of ECM components as it relates to previously described cellular events, biopsies were obtained from rats at various times following 5/6-nephrectomy as well as from sham-operated controls. The biopsies were stained with PAS as well as immunostained for PCNA (a cell proliferation marker), monocytes/macrophages, types I and IV collagen, laminin, s-laminin, fibronectin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and entactin/nidogen. Immunostaining of biopsies obtained from 5/6 nephrectomized rats demonstrated an early glomerular cell proliferation, peaking at week 2. Expansion of the glomerular tuft area with rare glomeruli demonstrating focal sclerosis were also seen at week 2. Glomerular macrophage influx correlated with later ECM expansion and glomerulosclerosis. A progressive accumulation of all ECM proteins investigated was noted in the pathological mesangial matrix at week 2 and later time points. Northern analysis of total glomerular RNA at weeks 2 and 6 after 5/6 nephrectomy showed de novo expression type I collagen mRNA as well as small increases of glomerular mRNA levels for type IV collagen (1.2- and 1.4-fold over control RNA) and laminin (1.3- and 1.5-fold) but not s-laminin (1.1- and 0.9-fold). We conclude that cellular events including glomerular cell proliferation and macrophage influx are associated with increased gene and protein expression by ECM proteins in the remnant kidney model and may contribute to the development of sclerosis.     

Retrovirally mediated overexpression of glycosaminoglycan-deficient biglycan in arterial smooth muscle cells induces tropoelastin synthesis and elastic fiber formation in vitro and in neointimae after vascular injury

Galactosamine-containing glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as the chondroitin sulfate chains of the proteoglycan versican, have been shown to inhibit elastogenesis. Another proteoglycan that may influence elastogenesis is biglycan, which possesses two GAG chains. To assess the importance of these chains on elastogenesis in blood vessels, rat aortic smooth muscle cells were transduced with a GAG-deficient biglycan cDNA-containing retroviral vector (LmBSN). Control cells were transduced with either biglycan or empty vector. Transduced cells were characterized in vitro and then seeded into balloon-injured rat carotid arteries to determine the effects on neointimal structure. Cultured cells overexpressing LmBSN showed marked up-regulation of tropoelastin and fibulin-5 mRNAs, increased amounts of desmosine and insoluble elastin, and increased deposition of elastic fibers as compared with empty vector- and biglycan-transduced cells. Conversely, collagen α(1) synthesis and the deposition of collagen fibers were both markedly decreased in LmBSN cultures. In vivo, neointimae formed from cells that overexpressed LmBSN and showed increased deposits of elastin that aggregated into parallel nascent fibers, generally arranged circumferentially. Neointimae that formed from cells with biglycan or empty vector contained fewer and less aggregated deposits of elastin. These findings suggest that the GAG chains of biglycan serve as inhibitors of elastin synthesis and assembly, and that biglycan can act as an important modulator of the composition of the extracellular matrix of blood vessels.     

Doxycycline modulates smooth muscle cell growth, migration, and matrix remodeling after arterial injury

The tetracyclines function as antibiotics by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, but recent work has shown that they are pluripotent drugs that affect many mammalian cell functions including proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and matrix remodeling. Because all of these processes have been implicated in arterial intimal lesion development, the objective of these studies was to examine the effect of doxycycline treatment using a well-characterized model of neointimal thickening, balloon catheter denudation of the rat carotid artery. Rats were treated with 30-mg/kg/day doxycycline. Doxycycline reduced the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in the arterial wall, and inhibited smooth muscle cell migration from media to intima by 77% at 4 days after balloon injury. Replication of smooth muscle cells in the intima at 7 days was reduced from 28.3 plus minus 2.5% in controls to 17.0 +/- 2.8% in doxycycline-treated rats. The synthesis of elastin and collagen was not affected, but accumulation of elastin was blocked in the doxycycline-treated rats. By contrast, collagen accumulation was not affected, which led to the formation of a more collagen-rich intima. At 28 days after injury, the intimal:medial ratio was significantly reduced from 1.67 +/- 0.09 in control rats to 1.36 +/- 0.06 in the doxycycline-treated rats. This study shows that doxycycline is an effective inhibitor of cell proliferation, migration, and MMP activity in vivo. Further study in more complicated models of atherosclerosis and restenosis is warranted.     

罗格列酮抑制大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后新生内膜增生和基质金属蛋白酶-2的表达

目的探讨PPARγ配体罗格列酮对大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后新生内膜增生及MMP-2和TIMP-2表达的影响。方法实验分为给药组(罗格列酮3 mg/kg.d)和对照组(0.9%氯化钠注射液),每组n=5。用球囊血管内膜剥脱法建立大鼠颈动脉再狭窄模型。HE染色检测血管内膜与中膜的厚度比和面积比。RT-PCR和Western blot法检测血管组织中MMP-2和TIMP-2的mRNA和蛋白质的表达。结果罗格列酮明显抑制球囊损伤后血管新生内膜增生,与对照组相比,术后所有时间点上内膜与中膜的厚度比及面积比均显著减少(P<0.001)。罗格列酮组与对照组比较显著抑制球囊损伤后各时间点血管中基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)的mRNA和蛋白的表达,术后1、7、14、28 d蛋白表达由对照组的0.605±0.007、1.000±0.002、0.890±0.014和0.290±0.028降至0.310±0.014、0.525±0.021、0.405±0.007和0.081±0.004(P<0.001)。但罗格列酮对MMP-2抑制剂TIMP-2的mRNA和蛋白表达无影响。结论罗格列酮抑制大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后新生内膜增生,其机制可能与MMP-2的表达下调及MMP-2/TIMP-2表达失衡有关。     

Decorin inhibition of PDGF-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell function: potential mechanism for inhibition of intimal hyperplasia after balloon angioplasty

Decorin is a small proteoglycan that binds to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and inhibits its activity. However, its interaction with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), involved in arterial repair after injury, is not well characterized. The objectives of this study were to assess decorin-PDGF and decorin-PDGF receptor (PDGFR) interactions, the in vitro effects of decorin on PDGF-stimulated smooth muscle cell (SMC) functions and the in vivo effects of decorin overexpression on arterial repair in a rabbit carotid balloon-injury model. Decorin binding to PDGF was demonstrated by solid-phase binding and affinity cross-linking assays. Decorin potently inhibited PDGF-stimulated PDGFR phosphorylation. Pretreatment of rabbit aortic SMC with decorin significantly inhibited PDGF-stimulated cell migration, proliferation, and collagen synthesis. Decorin overexpression by adenoviral-mediated gene transfection in balloon-injured carotid arteries significantly decreased intimal cross-sectional area and collagen content by approximately 50% at 10 weeks compared to beta-galactosidase-transfected or balloon-injured, non-transfected controls. This study shows that decorin binds to PDGF and inhibits its stimulatory activity on SMCs by preventing PDGFR phosphorylation. Decorin overexpression reduces intimal hyperplasia and collagen content after arterial injury. Decorin may be an effective therapy for the prevention of intimal hyperplasia after balloon angioplasty.     

跨膜蛋白66过表达减轻大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后内膜增生

目的研究跨膜蛋白66(TMEM66)在大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后内膜增生中的作用。方法将SD大鼠随机分为对照组,左侧颈动脉球囊损伤组和TMEM66过表达组(n=10)。HE染色检测各组血管内膜增生情况。Western blot、q-PCR及IHC分别检测颈动脉血管中TMEM66的表达。CCK8和划痕实验分别检测TMEM66过表达后原代培养血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)的增殖和迁移。结果颈动脉球囊损伤血管中TMEM66的表达量较对照组显著下降(P0.05)。球囊损伤后血管内膜明显增生,慢病毒特异性转染TMEM66过表达可显著逆转血管内膜增生(P0.05)。上调TMEM66能够改善PDGF所诱导的VSMC增殖和迁移(P0.05)。结论 TMEM66可以改善大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后内膜增生。     

Factors controlling smooth-muscle cell proliferation.

Injury to the arterial wall normally elicits a rapid and significant increase in smooth-muscle cell (SMC) replication with the subsequent development of intimal lesions. A variety of factors have been proposed to control SMC replication, but recent work has highlighted the role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and platelet-derived growth factor in this process. In the carotid artery of the uninjured rat, we have shown that the SMCs express mRNA for bFGF and that bFGF can be readily extracted from these arteries. Following mechanical injury to the artery, ie, after balloon injury, we suggested that bFGF is released from damaged cells and then stimulates adjacent SMCs. In support of this concept, the infusion of a blocking antibody to bFGF was found to significantly inhibit the early SMC replication induced by use of a balloon catheter. The addition of the antibody at the time of injury, however, did not inhibit the development of intimal lesions. In contrast, studies by us and other investigators have shown that platelet-derived growth factor is not directly important for SMC replication after balloon injury, but that it plays a key role in stimulating the migration of SMCs into the intima. Intimal SMC replication was not inhibited with antibodies to either bFGF or platelet-derived growth factor. Therefore, while significant inroads have been made in understanding the initial events, we still do not fully understand all the processes involved in the proliferation of arterial intimal lesions.     

Phenotypic features of smooth muscle cells during the evolution of experimental carotid artery intimal thickening. Biochemical and morphologic studies

Balloon catheter denudation of rat carotid artery that results in significant medial damage is followed by marked intimal smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation associated with limited endothelial regrowth. In this report we demonstrate that: (a) SMC of the carotid media, preceding their intimal proliferation, develop a cytoskeletal profile and morphology consistent with a de-differentiated SMC phenotype; and (b) both medial and intimal SMC subsequently revert to a cytoskeletal profile and morphology reflecting incomplete but significant re-differentiation toward normal SMC phenotype. Specifically, early after balloon injury, SMC of the media and those that have migrated into the intima contain decreased amounts of actin, desmin, and tropomyosin and increased amounts of vimentin; moreover, beta-actin becomes the dominant actin isoform, whereas alpha-actin decreases as compared with that found in normal medial SMC. Late after balloon injury, actin is still less abundant, however, desmin, tropomyosin, and vimentin return toward normal values and both medial and intimal SMC again show a predominance of alpha-actin, although the endothelium does not regenerate over the central surface of intimal thickening in this model. The SMC surface to volume ratio significantly decreases early after balloon injury, whereas it is not significantly different late after balloon injury as compared with that of SMC of the normal carotid media. We demonstrate, furthermore that: (c) adjacent luminal SMC are interconnected by gap junctions and develop focal tight junctions, a feature not reported previously to occur in smooth muscle; these cells however do not form any well defined membrane specialization with the leading edge of endothelium, supporting the view that presence of modified SMC on the luminal surface of chronically denuded vessels is not responsible for the cessation of endothelial regrowth.     

Protective effect of hydrogen sulfide on balloon injury-induced neointima hyperplasia in rat carotid arteries

Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), generated from homocysteine metabolism mainly catalyzed by cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), possesses important functions in the cardiovascular system. In this study, we investigated the role of H(2)S during the pathogenesis of neointimal formation induced by balloon injury in rats. CSE mRNA levels were reduced by 86.5% at 1 week and 64.0% at 4 weeks after balloon injury compared with the uninjured controls. CSE activity was also correspondingly reduced. Endogenous production of H(2)S in the injured carotid artery was significantly inhibited at 1 week and 4 weeks after balloon injury. Treatment with NaHS (a donor of H(2)S) enhanced methacholine-induced vasorelaxation of balloon-injured artery. More importantly, treatment with NaHS significantly inhibited neointima formation (0.15 +/- 0.01 mm(2) versus 0.21 +/- 0.01 mm(2), P < 0.001) of the balloon-injured carotid arteries and reduced the intima/media ratio (1.05 +/- 0.07 versus 1.43 +/- 0.06, P < 0.001). A significant decrease in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation was demonstrated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation at day 7 after injury. In conclusion, CSE expression and H(2)S production are reduced during the development of balloon injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia, and treatment with NaHS significantly reduces neointimal lesion formation.     

Am80通过促进KLF4与维甲酸受体α相互作用抑制血管内膜增生

目的:通过大鼠颈总动脉球囊损伤手术,探讨维甲酸受体α(RARα)激动剂Am80是否通过上调Krüppel样因子4(KLF4)与RARα相互作用而抑制血管新生内膜增生。方法:用球囊损伤大鼠颈总动脉,腹腔注射Am80 14 d后,HE染色观察血管新生内膜增生的情况;通过免疫组化方法检测KLF4和血管壁中cyclin D1的表达;用Western blotting方法检测血管壁中KLF4和RARα的表达,用免疫共沉淀法检测KLF4和RARα的相互作用。结果:与球囊损伤模型组比较,Am80腹腔注射组中,内膜与中膜厚度比率明显降低,KLF4和RARα表达水平升高;而且Am80可以促进损伤血管中KLF4和RARα的相互作用。结论:Am80促进KLF4与RARα的相互作用,从而抑制血管新生内膜的增生。