Protective aptitude of annexin A1 in arterial neointima formation in atherosclerosis-prone mice - Brief report

Abstract

Objective - Restenosis as a consequence of arterial injury is aggravated by inflammatory pathways. Here, we investigate the role of the proresolving protein annexin A1 (AnxA1) in healing after wire injury. Approach and Results - Apoe -/- and Apoe -/- Anxa1 -/- mice were subjected to wire injury while fed a high-cholesterol diet. Subsequently, localization of AnxA1 and AnxA1 plasma levels were examined. AnxA1 was found to localize within endothelial cells and macrophages in the neointima. Levels of AnxA1 in the plasma and its lesional expression negatively correlated with neointima size, and in the absence of AnxA1, neointima formation was aggravated by the accumulation and proliferation of macrophages. In contrast, reendothelialization and smooth muscle cell infiltration were not affected in Apoe -/- Anxa1 -/- mice. Conclusions - AnxA1 is protective in healing after wire injury and could, therefore, be an attractive therapeutic compound to prevent from restenosis after vascular damage.