Vitaxin, a humanized monoclonal antibody to the vitronectin receptor (αvβ3), reduces neointimal hyperplasia and total vessel area after balloon injury in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

The vitronectin receptor (alpha(nu)beta(3)) mediates several biological processes that are critical to the formation of a neointima after coronary interventions. Blockade of alpha(nu)beta(3) could reduce neointima formation by inhibiting smooth muscle cell migration, decreasing transforming growth factor-beta(1) expression, enhancing apoptosis, or reducing neovasculature. The effects of short-term administration of Vitaxin, a humanized monoclonal antibody to alpha(nu)beta(3), on the responses to balloon injury were tested in hyperlipidemic rabbits. Balloon angioplasty was performed on the iliac arteries of male New Zealand White rabbits that were fed an atherogenic diet for 1 week before injury and until euthanization at 4 weeks. Rabbits were given either saline (control) or 1 of 2 dosing regimens of Vitaxin (high dose, 5.0 mg/kg, and low dose, 0.5 mg/kg), which were administered intra-arterially before injury and intramuscularly on days 2 and 3. High-dose and low-dose Vitaxin were equally effective in decreasing neointima formation even in the presence of hypercholesterolemia a stimulus to alpha(nu)beta(3) expression. Vitaxin reduced transforming growth factor-beta(1) and enhanced apoptosis in injured arteries. Despite these positive effects, Vitaxin administration was associated with a reduction in artery size, indicating a negative effect on remodeling. Vitaxin has a potential role in preventing intimal hyperplasia, especially if the negative effects on remodeling can be overcome, by dose adjustment or other strategies.