血管内皮生长因子基因对兔髂动脉内膜损伤的组织形态变化过程的影响

探讨血管内皮细胞的特异丝裂原－血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）基因阻止血管内膜损伤后形成再狭窄的组织变化过程。建立球囊拉伤血管内膜的兔髂动脉模型,将携带VEGF目的基因的真核表达载体pcDNA3/VEGF经多聚赖氨酸处理的PTCA球囊导管导入拉伤的血管内膜。VEGF基因组拉伤2周时血管内壁有VEGF mRNA和蛋白的高表达。血管内膜内皮化较快。2周时即有许多血管内皮细胞呈岛状分布。4周时内膜基本恢复光滑。内膜平滑肌细胞增生明显减少,而对照组2周时血管内膜粗糙,基底膜暴露,拉伤后4周仍无内皮细胞再生,最后形成虫蚀样改变。血管中膜平滑肌细胞穿过内弹性膜进入内膜并大量增生,内膜增厚。VEGF基因定位导入血管内壁后。VEGF mRNA和蛋白高表达且发挥其生物学效应,内皮细胞岛状增生,加快内膜内皮化,减轻内膜增厚。     

兔颈动、静脉移植桥血管狭窄模型的建立及其电镜观察

目的：建立兔颈动、静脉移植血管桥动物模型,观察移植桥血管内膜增生和狭窄的电镜下表现。方法：通过兔双侧颈动脉进行动脉桥和静脉桥的移植,形成双侧移植血管桥再狭窄动物模型。在第8周施行血管桥移植手术的同时留取右侧颈动静脉标本作为对照血管,再分别于第12周、16周和第20周分别处死模型兔,采集移植桥血管标本,在光镜下测量其内膜厚度、面积、狭窄度,并进行电镜观察。结果：颈动脉和颈静脉桥移植后,随着时间的延长,桥血管的出现平滑肌迁移,脂质沉积,内膜增生,血管狭窄等改变,且以静脉桥血管的病理改变更为明显。结论：在兔形成动脉粥样硬化病变基础上,进行双侧颈动脉血管桥的移植,建立兔双侧颈动脉移植血管桥再狭窄动物模型,有利于设立自身对照,研究术后动静脉桥再狭窄差异机制;建立动、静脉桥后,位于血管中膜的平滑肌细胞出现向血管内膜迁移现象,说明中膜平滑肌细胞迁移进入内膜导致新内膜形成是血管再狭窄的重要环节。     

兔颈动、静脉移植桥血管狭窄模型的建立及其电镜观察

目的:建立兔颈动、静脉移植血管桥动物模型,观察移植桥血管内膜增生和狭窄的电镜下表现。方法:通过兔双侧颈动脉进行动脉桥和静脉桥的移植,形成双侧移植血管桥再狭窄动物模型。在第8周施行血管桥移植手术的同时留取右侧颈动静脉标本作为对照血管,再分别于第12周、16周和第20周分别处死模型兔,采集移植桥血管标本,在光镜下测量其内膜厚度、面积、狭窄度,并进行电镜观察。结果:颈动脉和颈静脉桥移植后,随着时间的延长,桥血管的出现平滑肌迁移,脂质沉积,内膜增生,血管狭窄等改变,且以静脉桥血管的病理改变更为明显。结论:在兔形成动脉粥样硬化病变基础上,进行双侧颈动脉血管桥的移植,建立兔双侧颈动脉移植血管桥再狭窄动物模型,有利于设立自身对照,研究术后动静脉桥再狭窄差异机制;建立动、静脉桥后,位于血管中膜的平滑肌细胞出现向血管内膜迁移现象,说明中膜平滑肌细胞迁移进入内膜导致新内膜形成是血管再狭窄的重要环节。     

家兔新型动脉粥样硬化狭窄模型的建立及其动态观察

目的　为血管成形术后再狭窄的研究提供非球囊扩张和动脉造影的简单易行的新型动脉粥样硬化斑块狭窄动物模型。方法　选择日本大耳白兔 18只 (含正常组 6只 ) ,用电刺激血栓形成仪刺激颈总动脉并在术后高脂饲料喂养 6周 ,模型分别于术后 3天、1周、3周、6周处死颈总动脉取材 ,常规病理切片行HE、弹力V G染色 ,光学显微镜观察病理变化。结果　术后 1周内动脉有血栓形成 ,内皮剥脱和部分内弹力板断裂 ,内皮细胞增生 ,中膜局部平滑肌细胞有少量水肿、消失 ,外膜有中性粒细胞浸润 ;术后 3周以上则内膜明显增生 ,内膜下脂质沉积 ,中膜平滑肌细胞核有轻度减少 ,纤维组织及基质增生 ,以损伤部位更明显 ,外膜刺激部位有轻度增厚。术后 6周 6只动物颈总动脉均形成管腔狭窄。结论　用电刺激加高脂饲料喂养的方法可成功建立动脉粥样硬化狭窄的动物模型 ;该模型的病理表现与人类动脉粥样硬化的病理过程相似 ,且避免了二次球囊造模法形成的血管盲端     

赖诺普利对血管成形术后平滑肌细胞增殖影响的研究

为研究赖诺普利对血管成形术后平滑肌细胞（ＳＭＣ）增殖的影响,用体外血管平滑肌细胞培养及氚标记胸腺嘧啶核苷（３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ）掺入技术,观察了不同浓度赖诺普利（１～２０μｇ／ｍｌ）对培养的球囊血管成形术后的兔髂动脉ＳＭＣ增殖情况的影响。结果表明：加入赖诺普利后ＳＭＣ对３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ的摄取及细胞计数明显比对照组低（Ｐ＜０．０１或Ｐ＜０．０５）,各浓度组均有作用,浓度越高作用越明显。提示赖诺普利可抑制血管成形术后平滑肌细胞的增殖,有预防血管成形术后再狭窄的作用。     

在体导入NOS基因可抑制球囊扩张术后血管内膜增生

在体导入ＮＯＳ基因可抑制球囊扩张术后血管内膜增生血管平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣ）增生、内膜增厚是球囊扩张术后再狭窄的主要发病机制之一。近年来许多实验表明ＮＯ有抑制培养ＶＳＭＣ增殖的作用;口服ＮＯ前体Ｌ－精氨酸可减轻内皮损伤诱导的血管内膜的增生。Ｌ－精氨酸在...     

糖尿病和非糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔模型的建立

目的建立兔动脉粥样硬化和糖尿病动脉粥样硬化模型并比较其动脉粥样硬化病变的特点。方法四氧嘧啶静脉推注诱发糖尿病后,行腹主动脉球囊损伤术拉伤内皮并饲高脂饲料建立糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔模型,非糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔模型静脉推注生理盐水,余处理相同。喂养10周做腹主动脉造影和腹主动脉内超声后处死,取腹主动脉横切片做HE染色和免疫组化,比较两组兔主动脉内膜/中膜比值及巨噬细胞、平滑肌细胞含量,以评价动脉粥样硬化病变的程度和性质。结果所有兔胸主动脉粥样硬化病变明显轻于腹主动脉;糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔腹主动脉壁特别是近血管腔处巨噬细胞浸润明显多于动脉粥样硬化兔,而平滑肌细胞含量显著减少。结论糖尿病动脉粥样硬化兔的腹主动脉粥样硬化病变内有更加活跃的炎症细胞浸润,提示病变性质更加不稳定。     

小鼠血管内膜增生模型的建立

该文主要介绍一种可以在小鼠中有效地诱导血管内膜增生的方法。该方法使用硅胶管嵌套小鼠股动脉,造成股动脉血管内膜增生。病理切片观察表明,实验组小鼠股动脉与假手术组相比出现了内膜层和中膜层不规则增厚,管腔狭窄,细胞排列紊乱,内膜炎症细胞浸润等。免疫组织化学染色显示内膜增生部分是由于血管平滑肌细胞（VsMCs）增生和基质积聚所致。该模型的建立对动脉粥样硬化病理机制研究和治疗药物的研发具有重要意义。     

动脉损伤后早期中膜原位明胶酶活性变化

动脉平滑肌细胞迁移到内膜和内膜细胞增生是经皮腔内血管成型术后再狭窄的关键。迁移时平滑肌细胞必须将包绕其周围的基底膜消化溶解。基底膜由ＩＶ型胶原蛋白和层粘连蛋白构成 ,明胶酶能够消化这两种蛋白。血管损伤后明胶酶原位活性变化并不清楚。本研究目的是探明损伤后动脉壁明胶酶活性的变化规律 ,为在早期抑制血管再狭窄提供基础。1　材料和方法(1)动脉壁损伤　Ｗｉｓｔａｒ系雄性大鼠 (12周 ,2 2 0～ 2 5 0ｇ)苯巴比妥钠 (0 .8ｍｌ ｋｇ)腹腔麻醉下 ,显露右颈内、外动脉 ,将 2Ｆｒ球囊导管从颈外动脉向心方向插入右颈总动脉近端 ,将球…     

国产真丝涤纶人造血管的动物应用研究

目的：探讨国产真丝涤纶人造血管动物应用的可行性。方法：以真丝涤纶人造血管行犬的腹主动脉移植。结果：移植后１个月血管腔内表面形成不完善的内膜,外膜纤维组织明显增生;移植后３个月血管腔内表面完全内皮化,外膜部分肉芽组织胶原化;半年至１年内皮细胞排列更加整齐有序,吻合口轻度内膜增生,但无狭窄,外周为致密的纤维组织。结论：真丝涤纶人造血管作为新一代血管代用品是可行的,但其远期通畅率是有待进一步观察。     

Gaq／11和PDGF依赖性信号转导通路在大鼠主动脉再狭窄中的作用

采用大鼠主动脉球囊内皮剥脱术制备主动脉狭窄模型,观察Gop/11和GDGF信号转导通路在大鼠主动脉球囊损伤后狭窄时血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）增殖和迁移中的作用,实验分假手术组,损伤1d组和损伤14d组,观察形态学变化,检测血管紧张素转换酶（ACE）活性和主动脉磷脂酶C（PLC）活性,用免疫印迹法测定主动脉血小板源生长因子（PDGF）受体β和Gaq/11蛋白含量,结果显示,损伤1d,主动脉内皮完全剥脱,VSMC无明显增殖和迁移,内膜无增厚,与假手术组比较,ACE 性增加382．7％（P＜0．01）,PDGE受体β表达和PLC活性无明显变化,Gaq/11蛋白含量下降20．0％（P＜0．05）,损伤14d组,主动脉局部有新生内皮出现,中层VSMC大量增殖并向内膜下选移,内膜显著增厚,ACE活性,PDGF受体β表达和PLC活性分别较假手术组升高420．2％（P＜0．01）,85．0％（P＜0．05）和186．2％（P＜0．05）,Gaq/11蛋白下降33．1％（P＜0．01）,结果提示,PDGF介导的信号转导通路可能是再狭窄时VSMC增殖的重要信号转导机制。     

Endothelial Injury Induces Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation in Highly Localized Regions of a Direct Contact Co-culture System

Though previous studies have indicated a relationship between the proliferation of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in co-culture, the results have been contradictory and the signaling mechanism poorly understood. In this transmembrane co-culture study, VSMCs and endothelial cells were grown to confluence on opposite sides of a microporous membrane to mimic the intima/media border of vessels. The endothelial layer was injured, and then cultured for 3 days, resulting in partial re-endothelialization. VSMC proliferation across from the injured/partially recovered endothelial region was significantly higher than across from the de-endothelialized region (a sevenfold increase) and the uninjured region (a threefold increase). ELISA indicated that PDGF, which was undetectable in uninjured co-culture and homotypic controls, increased after injury and the addition of a piperazinyl-quinazoline carboxamide PDGF receptor inhibitor blocked VSMC proliferation across from the injured/partially recovered region. We conclude that co-culture signaling initiated by endothelial cell injury locally stimulates VSMC proliferation and that this signaling could be mediated by PDGF-BB.     

Expression and function of periostin-like factor in vascular smooth muscle cells

In injured blood vessels activated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) migrate from the media to the intima, proliferate and synthesize matrix proteins. This results in occlusion of the lumen and detrimental clinical manifestations. We have identified a novel isoform of the periostin family of proteins referred to as periostin-like factor (PLF). PLF expression in VSMCs was increased following treatment with mitogenic compounds, suggesting that PLF plays a role in VSMC activation. Correspondingly, proliferation of the cells was significantly reduced with anti-PLF antibody treatment. PLF expression increased VSMC migration, an essential cellular process leading to vascular restenosis after injury. PLF protein was localized to neointimal VSMC of rat and swine balloon angioplasty injured arteries, as well as in human arteries with transplant restenosis, supporting the hypothesis that PLF is involved in VSMC activation and vascular proliferative diseases. Taken together, these data suggest a role for PLF in the regulation of vascular proliferative disease. migration; proliferation     

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury in rats

We investigated whether mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based treatment could inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in a rat model of carotid arterial injury and explored potential mechanisms underlying the positive effects of MSC therapy on vascular remodeling/repair. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent balloon injury to their right carotid arteries. After 2 days, we administered cultured MSCs from bone marrow of GFP-transgenic rats (0.8 × 10⁶ cells, n = 10) or vehicle (controls, n = 10) to adventitial sites of the injured arteries. As an additional control, some rats received a higher dose of MSCs by systemic infusion (3 × 10⁶ cells, tail vein; n = 4). Local vascular MSC administration significantly prevented neointimal hyperplasia (intima/media ratio) and reduced the percentage of Ki67 + proliferating cells in arterial walls by 14 days after treatment, despite little evidence of long-term MSC engraftment. Notably, systemic MSC infusion did not alter neointimal formation. By immunohistochemistry, compared with neointimal cells of controls, cells in MSC-treated arteries expressed reduced levels of embryonic myosin heavy chain and RM-4, an inflammatory cell marker. In the presence of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), conditioned medium from MSCs increased p27 protein levels and significantly attenuated VSMC proliferation in culture. Furthermore, MSC-conditioned medium suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines and RM-4 in PDGF-BB-treated VSMCs. Thus, perivascular administration of MSCs may improve restenosis after vascular injury through paracrine effects that modulate VSMC inflammatory phenotype.     

ADAMTS-7 promotes vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration are pivotal for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. We have recently reported that a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-7 (ADAMTS-7), a novel metalloproteinase, contributes directly to neointima formation by mediating VSMC migration. However, whether ADAMTS-7 affects VSMC proliferation remains unclear. In this study, we found that luminal adenoviral delivery of ADAMTS-7 aggravated intimal hyperplasia 7 d after injury, paralleled by an increased percentage of PCNA-positive cells in both intima and media. In contrast, perivascular administration of ADAMTS-7 siRNA, but not scrambled siRNA to injured arteries attenuated intimal thickening at day 7, paralleled with reduced intimal VSMC replication, without alteration of VSMC proliferation in the media. In accordance, [³H]-thymidine incorporation assay in primary cultured rat VSMCs revealed an enhanced replication rate (by 61%) upon ADAMTS-7 overexpression and retarded proliferation (by 23%) upon ADAMTS-7 siRNA administration. Our data demonstrates that ADAMTS-7 promotes VSMC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. ADAMTS-7 may therefore serve as a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis.     

Crucial Role of Hyaluronan in Neointimal Formation after Vascular Injury

Background

Hyaluronan (HA) is a primary component of the extracellular matrix of cells, and it is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of HA in neointimal formation after vascular injury and determine its tissue-specific role in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by using a cre-lox conditional transgenic (cTg) strategy.

Methods and Results

HA was found to be expressed in neointimal lesions in humans with atherosclerosis and after wire-mediated vascular injury in mice. Inhibition of HA synthesis using 4-methylumbelliferone markedly inhibited neointimal formation after injury. In vitro experiments revealed that low-molecular-weight HA (LMW-HA) induced VSMC activation, including migration, proliferation, and production of inflammatory cytokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The migration and proliferation of VSMCs were mediated by the CD44/RhoA and CD44/ERK1/2 pathways, respectively. Because HA synthase 2 (HAS2) is predominantly expressed in injured arteries, we generated cTg mice that overexpress the murine HAS2 gene specifically in VSMCs (cHAS2/CreSM22α mice) and showed that HA overexpression markedly enhanced neointimal formation after cuff-mediated vascular injury. Further, HA-overexpressing VSMCs isolated from cHAS2/CreSM22α mice showed augmented migration, proliferation, and production of inflammatory cytokines and ROS.

Conclusion

VSMC-derived HA promotes neointimal formation after vascular injury, and HA may be a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease.     

ADAMTS-7 promotes vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation in vitro and in vivo

Vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC) proliferation and migration are pivotal for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. We have recently reported that a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-7(ADAMTS-7), a novel metalloproteinase, contributes directly to neointima formation by mediating VSMC migration. However, whether ADAMTS-7 affects VSMC proliferation remains unclear. In this study, we found that luminal adenoviral delivery of ADAMTS-7 aggravated intimal hyperplasia 7 d after injury, paralleled by an increased percentage of PCNA-positive cells in both intima and media. In contrast, perivascular administration of ADAMTS-7 si RNA, but not scrambled si RNA to injured arteries attenuated intimal thickening at day 7, paralleled with reduced intimal VSMC replication, without alteration of VSMC proliferation in the media. In accordance, [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay in primary cultured rat VSMCs revealed an enhanced replication rate(by 61%) upon ADAMTS-7 overexpression and retarded proliferation(by 23%) upon ADAMTS-7 si RNA administration. Our data demonstrates that ADAMTS-7 promotes VSMC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. ADAMTS-7 may therefore serve as a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis.     

Role of Pin1 in neointima formation: Down-regulation of Nrf2-dependent heme oxygenase-1 expression by Pin1

Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to intima formation after stenting and balloon angioplasty. Pin1, a peptidyl prolyl isomerase recognizing phosphorylated Ser/Thr–Pro, isomerizes the peptide bond. Because Pin1 overexpression is associated with transformation and the uncontrolled cell growth of tumors, we hypothesized that Pin1 functions as a chronic stimulator of VSMC proliferation. Pin1-positive smooth muscle cells were seen in the neointimal region of the femoral artery after guidewire injury. Exposure of VSMCS to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) increased Pin1 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Basal cell growth rate and cyclin D1 expression were enhanced in Pin1-overexpressing VSMCs (Pin1-VSMCs). Moreover, PDGF-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Pin1-VSMCs was higher than in control VSMCs. In Pin1-VSMCs, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction in response to nitric oxide donor was suppressed compared to control VSMCs. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) was also diminished in Pin1-VSMCs. In contrast, the activity of the inducible minimal antioxidant response element (ARE) was potentiated in Pin1-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), compared to Pin1-wild-type MEFs. Moreover, Nrf2 ubiquitination was stimulated by Pin1 overexpression. Intraperitoneal injection of juglone (a Pin1 inhibitor) for 3 weeks (1 mg/kg, two times a week) significantly suppressed neointimal formation induced by wire injury. In conclusion, Pin1 induction during neointimal formation may be associated with ROS-mediated VSMC proliferation via down-regulation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent HO-1 expression. Pin1 may be a novel therapeutic target for several vascular diseases including atherosclerosis and stenosis.