Experimental studies onanti-atherosclerosis by RNA interference mediated silencing of monocyte chemotacticprotein-1 expression

：Objective To identifythe effects of in vivo transfection of monocyte chemotactic pro- tein-1(MCP-1)smallinterference RNA (siRNA) to atherosclemsis model on local expression of MCP-1 and thedevelopment of atheroscleresis. Methods Carotid atherosclerosis model was created on 28New Zealand white rabbits, siRNA expressing vector was transfected to the blood vessels.The carotid artery was processed for morphologic evaluation. The local expression of MCP-1was detected by immunohistochemis-try,RT-PCR and Western blot. Results The intima:media inthickness in RNA interference,control and blank plasmid groups was 5.55,5.27, and 1.46respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed, as compared with control and blank plasmidgroups, the positie staining of MCP-1 was decreased in RNA interference group. RT-PCT andWestern blot revealed that MCP-1 expression was reduced in RNA interference group ascompared with model and blank plasmid groups. Conclusion The expression of MCP-1 wassuccessful- ly inhibited by transfecting MCP-1 siRNA expression plasmid to the carotidartery, and the progression of atherosclemsis was limited by RNA interference-mediatedsilencing of MCP-1 expression.