Neointima formed by arterial smooth muscle cells expressing versican variant V3 is resistant to lipid and macrophage accumulation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Extracellular matrix (ECM) of neointima formed following angioplasty contains elevated levels of versican, loosely arranged collagen, and fragmented deposits of elastin, features associated with lipid and macrophage accumulation. ECM with a low versican content, compact structure, and increased elastic fiber content can be achieved by expression of versican variant V3, which lacks chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans. We hypothesized that V3-expressing arterial smooth muscle cells (ASMC) can be used to form a neointima resistant to lipid and macrophage accumulation associated with hypercholesterolemia.

Methods and results

ASMC transduced with V3 cDNA were seeded into ballooned rabbit carotid arteries, and animals were fed a chow diet for 4 weeks, followed by a ch

SUBMITTER: Merrilees MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3123728 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature