VEGF gene transfer modulates MMPs expression after vascular balloon injury / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the effect of VEGF gene transfer on matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPs) expression after vascular balloon injury. METHODS: 90 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups randomly group Ⅰ(balloon injury group), groupⅡ (pAdtrackCMV group) and group Ⅲ(pAdtrackCMV-VEGF165 group). Hypercholesterol diet was given for 7 days before experiment and continued to receive until the animals were killed. Each group were divided into five subgroups according to the sacrifice time. Blood samples and iliac arteries were harvested for further analysis. RESULTS: In group Ⅰ and Ⅱ, MMP2 and TIMP1,2 expressions were detected during the whole process ,while in group III ,MMP1,2,9 and TIMP1,2 could be detected from 3 days after gene transfer and reached the highest level at 1 week and could not be detected at 8 week. CONCLUSIONS: Imbalance expression of MMPs and TIMPs occurred after vascular injury and this may be the reason of pathological remodeling. Local phAdtrackCMV-VEGF165 transfer could specifically change the expression of MMPs and facilitate the positive remodeling process after vascular injury.