TGF-beta 1/Smad3 expression and its effects on carotid intimal hyperplasia.

We investigated expression of TGF-beta 1/Smad3 after balloon injury in rat carotid arteries as well as the effects of blocking the TGF-beta 1/smad3 signaling pathway on carotid intimal hyperplasia. Rats were randomly divided into control group (C group) and injury group (S group). The latter were randomly divided into intervention group (antisense Smad3 adenovirus vector transfection after balloon injury) and blank control group (blank adenovirus vector transfection after balloon injury). Expression of Smad3 mRNA 1 d, 3 d, 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month after injury and intima/media thickness ratios 1 d, 2 weeks and 3 months after injury in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the injury group. Ki-67 expression in the intervention group was inhibited as shown in immunohistochemistry studies. These results demonstrated that antisense Smad3 adenovirus vector transfection can block TGF-beta 1/Smad3 signal transduction and thus inhibit intimal hyperplasia.