Study of inhibitory effects of IFN-γ on expression of PCNA and proliferation of neointima in rabbit balloon-injured iliac artery

Objective This study was to observe the inhibitory effects of interferon-gamma(IFN-γ) on the expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and proliferation of neointima in rabbit balloon-injured iliac artery model,and provide a theoretical proof for IFN-γ to prevent restenosis. Methods To make rabbit balloon-injured iliac artery model, and to divide rabbits into three groups: normal group, control group (balloon-injured) and IFN-γ group (balloon injured and IFN-γ prevention). Western blot and pathologic methods were used to study the effects of IFN-γ on the expression of PCNA in vascular smooth muscle cells and the change of area ratio of neointima to media. Results From the second day after operation, the expression of PCNA was inhibited obviously at any point of time in the IFN-γ group (P0.05). Compared with control group, the expression of PCNA decreased 15.2%,53.6%,28.6%,33.1%,28.7%,23.7% on the first day,second day,third day,the first week,second week,the third week in the IFN-γ group. On the first、second、 third day after operation, there were no neointima in any group. One week later, there were no neointima in IFN-γ group, and the inhibition was absolute.Two weeks and four weeks later, the neointima-media ratio of IFN-γ group was smaller than that of control group, and the inhibition ratio was 16.8% and 20.9%. Conclusion IFN-γ could inhibit proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the formation of neointima, which made the prevention of vascular restenosis after injury possible.