Objective: To investigate the effects of basic transcriptional element binding protein-2 (BTEB2) antisense RNA on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and the neointimal formation after carotid balloon injury in rats. Methods: The cultured VSMCs were transfected with an adenoviral vector containing BTEB2 antisense gene, Ad ASBTEB2. Effects of BTEB2 antisense RNA on the expression of BTEB2 were investigated by Western blot analysis. The cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry. Ad ASBTEB2, control adenoviral vector Ad. LacZ or PBS was transduced into the rat carotid artery after balloon injury. The expression of BTEB2 at 7, 14, and 21 d after gene transfer was detected by immunohistochemistry and neointima-to-media (I/M) area ratio at these time points was calculated. Results: The cell cycle was arrested in G0/G1 phase and the expression of BETB2 was downregulated after transfection with Ad ASBTEB2. Ad ASBTEB2 treatment reduced I/M area ratios on day 7, 14, and 21 after injury by 45%, 50% and 53% respectively, whereas the Ad LacZ treatment did not significantly alter these ratios compared with control group. Conclusion: BTEB2 antisense RNA mediated by adenoviral vector inhibits proliferation of VSMCs and significantly reduces neointimal hyperplasia in the rat carotid balloon injury model. BTEB2 antisense RNA is a potential therapeutic approach to preventing neointimal formation after balloon injury.
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