Effects of Losartan and Ramipril on the connexin expression in a rabbit balloon injury model

Intercellular gap junction (GJ) plays a pivotal role in the proliferation and transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). This study was designed to test the hypothesis that expressions of the component proteins of gap junctions, connexins40 and 43 (Cx40 and Cx43), are up-regulated in arteries subjected to balloon injury and that this up-regulation can be suppressed by statin therapy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that there were abundant GJ between neointimal SMCs but fewer and smaller GJ after losartan and ramipril treatment. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis showed the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expressions of Cx40 and Cx43 were elevated after injury, and these elevations were suppressed by losartan and ramipril. Immunostaining showed the Cx40 and Cx43 expressions were consistently enhanced in the neointimal area after injury, which was decreased by losartan and ramipril treatment. Balloon injury causes up-regulation of Cx40 and Cx43 in neointimal SMCs. angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and AT1 antagonist losartan can reduce the proliferation of SMCs, suggesting the rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) system plays an important role in the remodeling of GJ in the VSMCs under pathological conditions.   Key words: Vascular smooth muscle cell, gap junction, connexin, balloon angioplasty, statin.