Dynamic expressions of monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 and CC chamomile receptor 2 after balloon injury and their effects in intimal proliferation

OBJECTIVE: The dynamic expressions of monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and CC chamomile receptor 2 (CCR2) after balloon injury and their effects in intimal proliferation were discussed. In this study, the expression of MCP-1 and its receptor during the intimal proliferation in rat artery after balloon injury were studied. METHODS: Using the model of balloon injury of rats’ arteries, the changes of intimal proliferation were observed with optical microscopy and the expressions of MCP-1 and CCR2 at different times were examined with the methods of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The expressions of MCP-1 and CCR2 in the arterial tissues were detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and analyzed by semi-quantitative method. RESULTS: The expressions of MCP-1 and CCR2 mRNA began to gradually increase after balloon injury. The MCP-1 reached to the peak on the first day, but decreased gradually later on. Expressions of CCR2 mRNA began to increase on the first day and reached to the peak on the 7th day, but then started to decrease gradually until 28th day when we can still detect it. The expressions of MCP-1 proteins began to increase gradually after balloon injury and were obviously detected in the VSMC on the 4th and 7th day, until 14th day when we can still detect it clearly in the proliferating intima. CONCLUSION: The dynamic expressions of MCP-1, MCP-1 proteins and CCR2 mRNA after balloon injury were shown to play an important role in intimal proliferation.