Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases after stent implantation and balloon angioplasty in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit.

BACKGROUND Intimal hyperplasia is the principal mechanism of in-stent restenosis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a key role in intimal growth after balloon angioplasty (BA). Little is known, however, about MMP expression after stent implantation (ST). We investigated whether MMP9 and MMP2 are differentially expressed after ST and BA. METHODS AND RESULTS Hypercholesterolemic rabbits underwent ST and BA in the right and left iliac arteries, respectively. The expression of MMPs and their inhibitors (TIMPs) was studied at various time points in the injured arteries by use of zymography, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. MMP2, but not MMP9, was constitutively expressed in uninjured arteries. MMP9 expression was rapidly induced after injury, whereas the increase in MMP2 expression was delayed. At all time points, pro-MMP9 activity and MMP9 mRNA levels were >/=2-fold (ANOVA, P=0.002) and >/=3-fold (P<0.0001) higher after ST than after BA, respectively. Active MMP9 was detected only after ST. Although the increases in MMP2 mRNA levels were of similar magnitudes after ST and BA, pro-MMP2 activity was slightly higher 7 and 30 days after ST, and MMP2 activity was >/=2-fold higher 7 to 60 days after ST (P=0.002). No difference in TIMP expression was observed between stented and balloon-injured arteries. Cellular distributions of MMPs and TIMP1 were similar after ST and BA. Early inflammatory cell recruitment and 30-day intimal growth were more severe after ST. CONCLUSIONS Stent implantation results in more intense and sustained expression of MMP9 and activation of MMP2 than balloon angioplasty.