Inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation by antistasin and tick anticoagulant peptide

摘要

The present invention provides methods for inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation, particularly smooth muscle cells present in blood vessel walls. A compound capable of inhibiting blood factor Xa is administered to the smooth muscle cells in an amount effective to inhibit proliferation of the cells. The compound capable of inhibiting blood factor Xa is preferably antistasin or tick anticoagulant peptide (TAP). In other aspects the present invention provides methods for treating atherosclerotic lesions and atherosclerosis, and methods of treating narrowing of the lumen of a blood vessel wherein the narrowing is caused at least in part by hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells in the wall of the blood vessel.