Abstract:

Objective    To investigate the effects of nuclear factor κB small interfering RNA (NF-κB siRNA) on intimal proliferation and expressions of inflammatory factors in autologous vein grafts. Methods    A total of 80 male Wistar rats(weight, 300g to 350g)were randomly divided into four groups: 1) Group A( n=10), normal group without transplantation; 2)Group B(n=18), vein transplantation only; 3) Group C (n=26),  vein transplantation but the graft was processed by blank plasmid liposome complexes; 4) Group D(n=26), vein transplantation but the graft was transfected by NF-κB siRNA liposome complexes. The transplantation was to replace an  abdominal aortic vein with the autologous right external jugular vein.  At four time points (3rd ,7th,14th,21st day),  autografts were processed to determine intima hyperplasia, PCNA, MCP-1 mRNA, TNF-α mRNA and NF-κB p65 protein. Results    Intimal hyperplasia and VSMC obviously proliferated in groups B,C and D. At the 3rd day, expressions of MCP-1mRNA and TNF-αmRNA in group D was significantly lower than group C (P＜0.05). At the 7th day, the levels of NF-κB p65 protein in group B and C were significantly higher than in group A (P＜0.05). Compared with group C, the levels of NFκB p65 protein in group D were lower(P＜0.05). Conclusion     Expressions of MCP-1 mRNA and TNF-α mRNA have some relationships with NF-κB p65 protein. The proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and expression of inflammatory cytokines are changing and correlative in the vein graft. Transfection of NF-ΚB siRNA liposome complexes on the autologous vein graft can inhibit its proliferation and reduce expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TNF-α.

Key words: Vein graft; Nuclear factor kappa B; Small interfering RNA; Restenosis; Model, animal;  Rats, Wistar