Coils Coated With the Cyclic Peptide SEK-1005 Accelerate Intra-Aneurysmal Organization

BACKGROUND: Although the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with detachable coils is now widely accepted, the problem of coil compaction and recanalization remains to be solved. OBJECTIVE: To prevent recanalization by inducing intra-aneurysmal organization through prepared platinum coils coated with a novel cyclic peptide, SEK-1005, which can accelerate wound healing. METHODS: Using a rat aneurysm model, we examined the tissue response to these coils. An SEK-1005-coated coil (SC) or unmodified coil was inserted into the ligated external carotid artery (ECA) sac of rats. The sacs were removed on day 14 or 42 after coil insertion and subjected to conventional and immunohistochemical examination. We evaluated the tissue response in the ECA sacs and compared the percentage of organized areas in the ECA sacs of rats with SCs and unmodified coils. RESULTS: In SC rats, tissue organization was accelerated and the proliferation of a-smooth muscle actin- and vimentin-positive cells was promoted. On days 14 and 42, tissue organization was significantly greater in the ECA sacs of rats with SCs. CONCLUSION: SCs accelerated intra-aneurysmal organization in our rat aneurysm model suggesting that platinum coils coated with the novel cyclic peptide SEK-1005 may prevent recanalization and improve the clinical outcome in patients treated by coil embolization.