Transduction of osteopontin short hairpin RNA in prevention of restenosis after angioplasty in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Restenosis after angioplasty severely limited the application and long-period therapeutic effects of percutaneous coronary intervention. Changes in smooth muscle cel phenotype and their proliferation are important mechanisms of restenosis after angioplasty. OBJECTIVE:To use bal oon in vivo transduction of osteopontin short hairpin RNA (OPN-shRNA), to inhibit osteopontin expression at the injured blood vessels of a rabbit model of experimental atherosclerosis, and to prevent restenosis after angioplasty. METHODS:A total of 20 rabbit models of atherosclerosis were established and randomly equal y assigned to empty plasmid group and OPN-shRNA plasmid group. The plasmid recombinant OPN-shRNA and empty plasmid were transferred to the ventral aorta by bal oon. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After bal oon dilatation, specific green fluorescence was detected in the layer of vascular smooth muscle in the two groups. Moreover, with prolonged time of transfection, fluorescence intensity gradual y decreased. Compared with the empty plasmid group, the expanded artery lumen area obviously increased in the OPN-shRNA plasmid group, and plaque burden evidently reduced. Results indicated that bal oon catheter used in regional blood vessels in rabbit models of atherosclerosis could successful y transduce OPN-shRNA plasmid. The restenosis of the expanded blood vessels lessened, and thrombus burden relieved. It is of great importance to prevent the occurrence of restenosis after angioplasty in rabbit models.