Optimization of targeted therapies to inhibit smooth muscle cell invasion in vitro

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration has been correlated with intimal hyperplasia (111) after vascular interventions such as angioplasty, stenting, and vascular graft surgery. Therefore, therapies targeting inhibition of VSMC migration may lead to higher patency rates in vascular grafts and reduced III in other vascular interventions. This study tested three targeted therapies and their combinations: hyperfunctional alpha(v)beta(3) integrin expression, cyclic-RGD release and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease (TIMP)-1 release. It was found that a combination of 1.0 mM cyclic-RGD and 10 ng/mL TIMP-1 maximally inhibited smooth muscle cell invasion over individual or other combinations of treatments over 72 hours.