Fig. 5. Elastin therapy reduces vascular smooth muscle cell accumulation and
arterial obstruction in vivo. (A) Scanning electron micrographs of elastin
sheaths. Scale bar: 10 µm. (B) Elastin matrix sheath covering an expanded
metal stent. (C,D) Representative cross-sections taken from control arteries
(n=14) display the development of a thick fibrocellular neointima
(C), whereas the neointima is substantially decreased in elastin sheath
(arrows) treated arteries (n=13) with the same injury score (D).
(E,F) Over a range of injury, the percent lumen stenosis (E) and mean
neointimal thickness (F) were significantly reduced (both
P<0.0001) in injured porcine coronary arteries treated with
elastin sheath-stents compared with control stents.