Cell biology of restenosis post-angioplasty

PTCA is a well established intervention to reduce the severity of atherosclerotic coronary stenosis. In spite of a primary success rate of 90-95%, late restenosis occurs in 30-50% of patients within 3/6 months of the procedure. Angioplasty in swine induces similar events to those found in humans, thus providing a model for studying strategies for intervention. Blood interaction to the damaged vessel wall occurs with reperfusion after the intervention. Therefore, the in vivo characterization of the interaction of cellular elements (platelets and white cells) and blood proteins with the exposed vascular cells in the vessel wall post-angioplasty may be necessary to identify early triggers of restenosis. Angioplasty was performed multaneously in the coronary and carotid arteries of swine by fluoroscopy assisted standard techniques. Angiography was performed acutely post-dilatation and residual lumen diameter evaluated. Dilated vessels from 30 min to 6 h postintervention were processed to prepare RNA and preserved to perform immunohistochemistry. Dilatation injury induces maximal expression of c-fos 30 min and c-myc from 2 to 4 h post-dilatation. Platelet deposition is initiated immediately post-dilatation as well as infiltration of fluid phase proteins on the damaged areas.