Inhibition of late vein graft neointima formation in human and porcine models by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3.

BACKGROUND Autologous saphenous vein coronary artery bypass graft surgery is complicated by late graft failure due to neointima formation and subsequent atherosclerosis. Growth factors and metalloproteinases (MMPs) act in concert to promote neointima formation. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3), an extracellular matrix-associated MMP inhibitor, uniquely promotes apoptosis of isolated vascular smooth muscle cells. Here, we overexpressed TIMP-3 at the luminal surface of human saphenous veins before organ culture and in pig saphenous veins before interposition grafting into carotid arteries in vivo to assess neointima formation. METHODS AND RESULTS In both models, high TIMP-3 immunoreactivity occurred in the luminal and upper medial extracellular matrix after adenovirus delivery. MMP activity measured by in situ zymography was reduced throughout the veins, confirming a bystander effect. By use of 3 independent techniques, apoptosis levels in the neointima and medial layer were significantly elevated by TIMP-3 overexpression. Neointima formation was reduced by 84% in 14-day human organ cultures and by 58% in 28-day pig vein grafts (both P<0.05). In contrast, TIMP-2 overexpression had no effect on neointima formation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the potential therapeutic benefit for TIMP-3 overexpression to reduce neointima formation associated with late vein graft failure.