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Influence of Class I Interferons on Performance of Vascular Cells on Stent Material in vitro

N. Kipshidze, I. Moussa, V. Chekanov, V. Nikolaychik, A. Khanna,
A. Colombo, M. Leon, J. Moses
Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute and Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 
New-York, USA

Medical college of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA

Milwaukee Heart Institute, Milwaukee, USA

Key words: Smooth muscle cell, restenosis, stents,interferon.

1. Introduction

Despite intensive investigation, no widely effective treatment modality exists to prevent recurrent stenos is follo wing both vascular surgery or percutaneous interventional procedures [1]. The failed clinical trails using agents that have demonstrable efficacy in experimental animal models probably relates to poor translation from animal models to humans multifactorial nature of human restenosis [2-4]. Thus, new approaches to the problem of restenosis should be aimed at testing agents that target multiple processes involved in the pathogenesis of restenosis [1].

            The main cause of restenosis following stenting procedures is the hyperplastic response involving migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and fibroblasts (FBs) from subendothgelial and medial layers of the vessel walls, as well as expansion of an associated extracellular matrix [2-4]. Most recently, local antiproliterative strategies including pharmacological stent coatings (paclitaxel, actinomicin-D, rapamycin, etc.) have demonstrated inhibition of SMC proliferation in virro, reduced neointimal thickening in animal models of restenosis and produced promising results in pilot human studies [4, 5]. However, high local toxicity may after the andothelialization process after stent implantation and cause late thrombosis. Therefore, a new strategy to decrease restenosis may be to arrest SMC growth and decrease collagen production without altering and/or improving reendothelialization.

            Class I interferons (IFNs), particularly INF-γ, inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in atherosclerotis vessels and may be useful in the prevention of post-stents rostenosis [6-8]. INFs may be easily incorporated in stent coating, we reasoned to study the effective of INFs on viability and growth characteristics of human aortic endothelial cells (ECs), SMCs and FBs on stent surface in vitro.

 

2.  Materials and methods.

2.1.  Primary cell procurements and culturing.

2.1.1.  EC isolated and culture

            Human ECs were isolated from coronary vessels (HuCEC) of six anonymous donors by collagenase digestion according to previously published methods [9-11]. After enzymatic treatment and washing with MCDB-131 (Clonetics, San Diego, CA), cells were suspended in a MCDB medium, supplemented with 7% fetal calf serum and 7% human serum epidermal growth factor (10np/ml), having brain extract (36 μ/ml), sodium heparin (1U/ml), hydrocortisone (1μg/ml), gentamicin (40μ/ml) and amphotericin B (250 ng/ml). ECs were identified by positive staining for vWF, uptake of florescent acetylated LDL and by their histotypic “cobblestone” appearance at confluence. HuC EC routinely were grown in supplemented medium MCDB-131, and were used between 3-4 and 6-9.

2.1.2. SMC isolation and culture

            Human saphenous vein SMCs (HuSV SMC) were obtained from freshly removed specimens using an explant yechnique [10-12]. Briefly, a segment of vein was stripped of fat and connective tissue, the endothelium was then removed by careful stripping, and this segment of vein was chopped into small fragments of approximately 1x1 mm within a small volume of  DMEN (Hyclone Laboratories, UT). This was supplemented with 10% feral calf serum (Gibee Life Technology, Grand Island, NY), gentamicin (40./ml) and amphotericin B (250 ng/ml). The fragment of vascular medial tissues were transferred to a 25-cm³ culture flask, incubated for 2-3 weeks in a standard cell culture incuator (VWR scientific, Model 5025) where HuSV SMC migrate out of the explants and become subconfluent. Subconfluent cultures were passaged by tripsinization. HuSV SMC cells used for experiments were between passages 6 and 9; their growth was characterized by typical “hill and valley” configuration.

 

2.1.3 FB cultures

            Normal human dermal FBs (HUD FB) were obtained from Clonetics and routinely grown in supplemented medium DMEN. Subconfluent cultures were passaged by trypsinization and used between passages 4 and 6.

            The number of cells in subconfluent cultures was determined by Alamar Blue (AB) assay (Alamar BioSciences, Sacramento, CA), based on the bioreduction of a fluorogenic substrate. The resulting values were converted to cell numbers using standard calibration curves [12]. Individual calibration curves were constructed for each cell type and for each cell medium.

            HuSV SMC and HuD FB were rendered quiescent by replacing their medium with DMEN containing 2% fetal calf serum (serum starved medium) 24h before IFN treatment. AB assay has shown that this level of serum is sufficient to maintain viabiulity and constant cell density but not simulate proliferation [12].

            All cultures were ascertained to e free of micoplasma/acholeplasma contamination by evaluation of cultures supernatants from each cell type grown from two passages in corresponding media, without antibiotics, using a commercial micoplasma detection kit (Genprobe, San Diego, CA).

2.2 Biomaterials

            Assay were conducted in 24 well plates (Costar, Cambridge, MA). The cells were conjured enema uncanny on tissue culture (TC) surface and placed on the bottom of the wells or on substrates made of 316-1 stainless steel. The metal substrates were 1-1.2 mm thick and 1.88 mm². They were cut from metal sheets and sterilized by incubation in 0.5 M NaOH for 30 min. Following repeated rising in distilled water, the disks were affixed to the bottom of the wells by gravity. To mimic a stent, stainless-steel disks were coated with fibrin meshwork impregnated wit different doses of IFN-γ or IFN-α in our laboratory (VN). Atop of such layer three types of human vascular cells-ECs, SMCs and FBs-were cultured, whereas control cells were seeded onto fibrin-coated surfaces. Concentration of recombinant IFN varied from 5, 10, 15 and 20 ng/cm².

            Cell growth on the TC plastic surface was assessed every day for up to 7 days of culturing by the AB assay. Additional morphometric data were obtained by phase-contrast light microscopy.

2.2.1. Cell quantification.           

            The number of cells plated in each experiment was determined directly by using a standard hemocytometer (Haussek Scientific, Norshem, PA). After attachment, quantitation of viable cells attached to the substrates was performed by AB assay [12]. AB was added to cell cultures at 1:10 v/v ratio and incubated for 3 h at 37 C in the incubator. The fluorescence yield was obtained by measuring in a spectrofluorometer (Model 650-10S, Hitachi, Japan) set at excitation and emission wavelengths of 560 and 590 nm. The resulting values were converted to cell numbers using a standard calibration curve.

            The viable cells were enumerated by AB assay. Individual experiments were repeated at least three times. Normalized viability index was calculated.

2.2.2. Cell growth evaluation

            EC were seeded onto a 96-well Dynatech pigmented plate at an initial density of 10,000 cell/cm² for evaluation of growth rate. After 24 h, the number of cells was indicated by AB assay and EC monolayers were treated with various doses. Each test-dose was performed in six wells. Quantitation by AB assay was performed for 7 days, and refreshment of culture medium was done after each assay. PECAM-1, ICAM-1 (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA), elastase and lactate dehydrogenase (Sigma, USA) were used in these experiments.

2.2.3. Phase-contrast light microscopic examination

            This system allowed us to directly visualize the spreading and adhesion of the, cells to the metal wire surfaces in culture.

2.2.4. Statistical analysis

            All experiments were carried out in sextuplicate and repeated at least three times. Where appropriate, the data are presented as mean standard deviation. The significance of variability between the various results was determined by the ANOVA test.

 

 

 

 

3. Results

3.1. Impact on cell viability and growth

            Experiments in TC demonstrated that IFN treatment affected growth rates for all three types of cells. We observed, however, that growth inhibition effect was maximal with SMC and was minimal with FB and EC.

            IFN- γ abrogated the mitogenic response of SMC and FB to FGF stimulation by not EC, and t did not inhibit EC growth VEGF stimulation. IFN-α was able to inhibit EC growth and did not influence growth rates of SMC and FB. Biochemical analysis of lactate dehydrogenase demonstrated no difference in the relative activity at day seven between controls and IFN (α and γ)-treated cells.

We also studied the effect of different doses of IFN on the expression of cell adhesive molecules P and E-selections and PECAM and ICAM–1. These molecules up regulated by IFN in EC. Media derived from quiescent human SMC displayed low immunoreactivity elastase activity with conditioned media after IFN-γ treatment, but not after IFN-a treatment, which had approximately threefold greater activity.

 

4. Disscusion

4.1. IFN for prevention of restenosis

            IFNs are a family of naturally occurring proteins that are produced by cells of the immune system. Three classes of IFNs have been identified: α, β and γ. Each class has different effects though their activities overlap. Together, the IFNs direct the immune system’s attack on viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances. Once IFNs have detected and attacked a foreign substances, they alter it by slowing, blocking or changing it’s growth or function.

            IFN is considered analogous to tumor suppression  protein. It inhibits the proliferation and migration of cells, and blocks the effects of many oncogones and growth factors [13].

            IFNs induce and regulate tumor suppressior protein RB and p53 [13, 14]. Both regulate the cell cycle [15]. It is believed that IFN may, in corcert with the tumor suppressor proteins inside the cell, mediate tumor suppressor function and that the protein inside the cell cannot be totally effective without adequate IFN outside the cell.

            Despire intensive investigation, no widely effective treatment modality exists to prevent recurrent stenosis following procedural revascularization. It was shown that the cytokine-induced activation and proliferation of medial vascular SMCs leading to neointimal hyperplasia is one of the most critical cellular events in the formation of transplant arteriopathy and balloon angioplasty-induced restenosis [16, 17]. Balloon injury of the arterial wall and stent implantation not only induced increased SMC proliferation, enhances elastic recoil and abnormalities in thrombosis, both of which contributes to regrowth of the intima and to the production of restenosis lesions[18].

            Accumulation of T lymphocytes and monocyte activation of SMCs (proliferation, migration and matrix deposition) are among the factors leading to inflammation and to onset of vascular deseases including restenosis [19, 20]. Vessel injury helps us to realize that proiflammatory cytokines and growth factors influence SMC proliferation and migration. Produced by T lymphocytes. IFN-γ have immunoregulatory functions and act on similar receptors, designated Class II cytokines receptors [2].

            Accordinglyof the regulation of genes involved in SMC proliferation, particularly by naturally occurring inhibitors, is important. It was previously demonstrated that IFNs inhibits cholesterol accumulation and foam cell formation cell formation by downregulating the scavenger receptor on microphages [21].

            Castronuovo et al. [23] showed that IFN-γ reduced the development of neointimal hyperplasia following arterial injury. They showed also that SMC restores its proliferative activity within 7 days after discontinuation of IFN-γ treatment. It was proposed that efficacy of IFN- γcn be enhanced by lengthening the period of treatment.

            Interaction of FB with the F-derived extracellular matrix is an important modulator of IFN-γ  responsiveness and this interaction may play a role in the low immunogenicity of allogenic FB growth [24], which have an important role in restenosis.

            In cultured SMC, IFN-γ inhibits apoptosis. Genetic disruptions of IFN-γ signaling in a mouse model of restenosis significantly reduced the vascular proliferative response and neointimal proliferation [25]. Ribault et al. [26] studied IFN-γ expression inhibited SMC growth. They demonstrated that neointimal formation in the rat carotid balloon injury model was reduced to the same extent by adenoviral gene transfer of IFN-γ and driven by the SM-myosin heavy chain enhanced.

            However, other studied showed a different influence of IFN-γ and IFN-β on endothelial and SMCs. Various inflammatory cytokines, primarily IFN-γ, increase the expression of allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), which plays an important role in SMC activation subsequent to arterial injury [27].

            Inhibition of rabbit IFN-γ by secreted myxoma viral immunomodularity glycoprotein (M-T7) inhibits intimal hyperplasia after antiplasty injury and may be critical for prevention of plaque growth after vascular injury [28]. Dlmolino and Castellot [29] showed that haparin, by suppressing serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (sgk), inhibits SMC proliferation in animals and in  culture, but sgk expression is not suppressed by IFN-β.

            On the other hand, it was demonstrated [18] that expression of recombinant porcine IFN-β in SMC reduced cell proliferation significantly in vitro and that supernatants derived from β IFN vector inhibited SMC proliferation related to controls.

            Mintzer et al. [30] showed that β IFN inhibited vascular smooth muscle growth while having no growth-inhibitory effect on ECs obtained from the same blood vessels, making it a potential candidate for treating pathologic condition where abnormal SMC proliferation is implicated, such as restenosis follwing balloon angioplasty or smooth muscle proliferation following vascular stenting. Autieri and Agrawal [16] showed that IFN-γ inhibits proliferation of SMC in culture and reduces arterial restenosis balloon-injured arteries by decreasing proliferation and intimal formation. Stephan et al. [18] showed that IFN-γ activated macrophages inhibit fibrogenesis of FBs by releasing antifibrogenic or fibrotic factors. Gaydos [31] also showed that when IFN-γ is used there is inhibition of a productive growth cycle in a doserelated response.

            This study demonstrated that IFN is capable of affecting vascular EC and SMC growth characteristics. In our experiments, SMC were more sensitive to IFN treatment than EC. The effect appears to be cytostatic, because there was no statistically significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity that suggested that both IFN-α and IFN-γ were not toxic to the vascular cells.

4.2. Local delivery

            Chemoprevention of restenosis after PCI may be one application of IFN the problems with toxicity and route of administration can be solved.

            Systemic administration of a large number pharmaceuticals, which have shown promise in in-vitro and animal trials, has proven to be largely ineffective in reducing the occurrence of restenosis in patients following angioplasty, perhaps due to insufficient local concentrations and limitation on maximal doses.

            Given the increased frequency (up to 80-90%) with which stents [1, 32] are being deployed for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, it is not surprising that interest has turned from catheter-based drug delivery toward stentbased  approaches. Stents provide an excellent scaffold for delivery at high local concentrations over relatively long time period.

            We developed a therapeutic nontoxic dose (5-10 ng/cm) of IFN that does not effect EC but reduces SMC proliferation. These data correlate with other reports. In these studies, it was demonstrated that IFN reduces SMC growth [22, 23, 33-35].

            Other investigators also showed the varying influence of different types of IFN on SMC activity [27, 28, 33].

            We did not observe elastase of the SMC media with IFN-α; however, experiments demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference when IFN-γ was used that may represent an indirectly decreased production of collagen. 

            Its favorable influence on both SMC growth and decreased collagen production in the absence of endothelial damage may an advantage over more cytotoxic agents (taxol, actinomicin D, etc.) [4,32].

            IFN may have role in the treatment of vulnerable plaques due to its anti-inflammatory effect. However, decreased production of callogen, increased expression of the cell adhesive molecules P and E-selections, and PECAM and ICAM-1 by IFN-γ may represent the potential problem [36] of increasing thrombogenicity, and therefore vectorial delivery (coating of outer surface of the stent) may be necessary to overcome up-regulation of cell adhesive, molecules in EC.

 

5. Conclusion

            Our studies demonstrate that IFN-γ arrests SMC growth on metal surfaces in the absence of significant EC toxicity. These effects are dose dependant. In vivo experiments are planned to study the effects of an IFN-γ-eluting stent implantation on restenosis.

Acknowledgment

            The research was supported in part by a Leon Hess Research Fund at Lenox Hill Hospital (New York, NY) and A. Ward Ford Foundation (Wausau, WI). The authors owe much gratitude to John R. Peterson, MD for his review of the manuscript and to Cathy Kennedy for editorial assistance.

 

 

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