Single low-dose administration of human recombinant hepatocyte growth factor attenuates intimal hyperplasia in a balloon-injured rabbit iliac artery model.
Circulation 2000;
101:2546-9. [PMID:
10831531 DOI:
10.1161/01.cir.101.21.2546]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have shown that repeated systemic administration of human recombinant hepatocyte growth factor (hrHGF) in mg/kg levels modulates the wound-healing process in various diseases. Recently, HGF has been characterized as one of the most potent endothelial-cell-specific growth factors. We tested our hypothesis that local delivery of hrHGF, even at low microg/kg levels (> or =2 orders of magnitude lower than systemically administered doses), might attenuate neointimal hyperplasia in response to vascular injury via accelerated reendothelialization.
METHODS AND RESULTS
The iliac artery was denuded in 16 New Zealand White rabbits (3 kg), followed by administration, via a drug delivery catheter, of either hrHGF (10 microg; n = 11) or control vehicle (n=5) over 20 minutes. In pilot studies using this device, the drug permeated into the medial tissues, where it persisted for > or =24 hours. Four weeks after the local delivery of hrHGF, computer-assisted morphometric analysis revealed significant reduction in the intimal area (hrHGF, 0.37+/-0.21 versus control, 0.68+/-0.16 mm(2), mean +/- SD; P<0.05) but no change in the medial area (hrHGF, 1.03+/-0.21 versus control, 1.10+/-0.52 mm(2)). Scanning electron microscopy revealed extensive endothelialization with regular and confluent endothelial cell layer regeneration in the hrHGF-treated vessels.
CONCLUSIONS
Accelerated endothelialization after local delivery of hrHGF, a novel and potent endothelial cell mitogen, effectively attenuates neointimal proliferation even after single low-dose administration. This observation could have potential therapeutic implications in the prevention of restenosis after angioplasty.
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