ABSTRACT
Background: Restenosis post stenting is due to the deposit of extracellular matrix, mainly collagen in the neointima. Controversy exists regarding if collagen is generated locally or by immigration from the adventitia. Aim: To study the fibrocellular response after stent implantation in rabbit iliac arteries. To observe, by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, if collagen type I mRNA is expressed in the neointima, in the media or in the adventitia. Material and methods: Thirty eight white rabbits (New Zealand) of 4 kg received an hypercholesterolemic diet during 1 month. After this period, in all but 6 of them, an angioplasty with stent implantation was performed via right carotid artery in both iliac arteries, using a 1:1.3 relationship regarding the reference vessel. Angiograms were performed at day 0, 4, 21, and 40, followed by paraffin fixation of the injured segments, immunohistochemistry for a-actin and in situ hybridization to detect procollagen type I (a1R1) mRNA. Results: No hybridization was observed in non injured arteries or at day 0 (n= 6). Expression of a1R1 mRNA was observed in the neointima starting at day 4 after stenting (n= 8). At day 21 (n= 8) hybridization of procollagen type I was not only observed in the neointima, but also in the media, which became equally intense in both areas. At day 40 (n= 6) hybridization was observed similarly in the media and adventitia. Conclusions: In this model, hybridization of procollagen type I started in the neointima, then involved the media and finally the adventitia. This finding might be useful for designing therapies to be delivered locally at the end of an angioplasty to prevent collagen deposition in the neointima
