Local recruitment of LFA-1(+) lymphocytes after coronary stent implantation

Restenosis after successful revascularization by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) represents a major problem limiting the clinica l efficacy of this procedure.(1) Although coronary artery stenting has defi nitely been proved to improve results of PTCA in a large number of patients , in-stent restenosis remains a significant clinical problem.(2) Coronary s tent implantation is invariably accompanied by a certain degree of endothel ium damage. This may be induced by ischemia/reperfusion because of the shor t periods of blood flow reduction during the procedures, or by plaque ruptu re.(3,4) Both events trigger endothelium to express adhesion molecules at h igh density. Thereafter, circulating leukocytes up-regulating the appropria te counter receptors can roll on the injured endothelium, tightly adhere to it, and finally transmigrate to the site of lesion.(5) Vessel-infiltrating leukocytes may promote neointimal hyperplasia through the release of sever al proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and growth-promoting factors.(6-8 ) The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of adhesion molecules very late antigen (VLA)-2, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, leuko cyte functional antigen (LFA)-1, and Mac-1 on lymphocytes circulating withi n the coronary sinus compared with aortic root in coronary artery disease p atients who underwent coronary stent placement.