Pharmacological induction of HSP27 attenuates intimal hyperplasia in vivo

Western blot time course of HSP70 and HSP27 induction in Aorta (A) and Carotid (C) at varying time points (0–24 h) post thermal preconditioning. Both heat shock proteins were maximally induced at 8–18 h post heat shock.

Western blot of HSP27 and HSP70 expression in rat carotid artery in unstressed rat (control) and in rat 18 h post herbimycin A administration.

Carotid arteries from rats given A, drug vehicle B, 18 h post heat shock and C, from rats given herbimycin A 18 h earlier were harvested, fixed in formalin, sectioned, and stained with a monoclonal anti-HSP70 antibody. The antibody was detected with an enzyme-conjugated detection system that yields a brown colour in positive cells. (Original magnification × 400) (scale bar = 50 μm).

Carotid arteries from rats given A, drug vehicle B, 18 h post heat shock and C, from rats given herbimycin A 18 h earlier were harvested, fixed in formalin, sectioned, and stained with a monoclonal anti-HSP27 antibody. The antibody was detected with an enzyme-conjugated detection system that yields a brown colour in positive cells. (Original magnification × 400) (scale bar = 50 μm).

The intimal area and medial area were measured 14 days after balloon injury using computerized planimetry and the I/M ratio was calculated. Graphic representation of I/M ratio 14 days post balloon injury in the heat shock group and balloon injury alone group (control) and herbimycin A group. * = p < 0.05 vs control group.

Haematoxylin and eosin stained photomicrographs of rat carotid artery sections 2 weeks post balloon injury: (A) shows uninjured carotid artery; (B) shows injured control artery, (not pretreated); (C) shows injured carotid in heat pretreated rat; (D) shows injured carotid in herbimycin A pretreated rat. (Original magnification × 400) (scale bar = 50 μm).