Stent-based controlled release of intravascular angiostatin to limit plaque progression and in-stent restenosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the importance of angiogenesis in plaque progression after stent placement, this study examines stent-based controlled delivery of the antiangiogenic agent, angiostatin, in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Controlled release biodegradable microspheres delivering angiostatin or polymeronly microspheres (polylactic-co-glycolic-acid-polyethylene glycol; PLGA/PEG) were loaded in channeled stents, anchored, and deployed in the aorta of adult New Zealand white rabbits (n = 6 animals per group, three each per time point). The stented aortas were harvested at 7 days and 28 days and evaluated for neovascularization, local inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and in-stent plaque progression. RESULTS: At 7 days, neovascularization was significantly decreased in the angiostatin groups (1.6 ± 1.6 neovessels per mm² plaque) versus the control group (15.4 ± 2.6 neovessels per mm² plaque; P = .00081), as were local inflammation where angiostatin-treated groups demonstrated significantly lower macrophage recruitment per cross section (34.9 ± 4.9 cells per cross section) relative to the control group (55.2 ± 3.84 cells per cross section; P = .0037). And a significant decrease in the overall vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation (143.8 ± 26.3 Ki-67 positive cells per mm ²) relative to the control group (263.2 ± 16.6 Ki-67 positive cells per mm²; P = .00074). At both 7 and 28 days, in-stent plaque progression in the angiostatin groups was successfully limited relative to the control group by 54% (0.255 ± 0.019% of cross section; P = .00016) and 19% (1.981 ± 0.080; P = .0033) respectively and resulted in reduction of in-stent restenosis relative to the control group. CONCLUSION: Angiostatin-eluting stents may limit neovascularity after arterial implantation, offer insight into in-stent restenosis, and allow future refinement of bioactive stent designs and clinical strategies, particularly in light of evidence that intimal smooth muscle cells may in part be marrow-derived.