Objective: To find an effective means for delivering therapeutic genes of Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) to the target sites of the dilated coronary artery for the purpose of preventing restenosis of the injured artery.
Methods: A stainless steel stent coated with a high-molecular-mass polymer phosphorylocholine, after treatment with recombinant replication-defective adenovirus designated as RAD TIMP-3, was implanted into the coronary arteries of 7 pigs (therapy group). Another 7 pigs serving as the control group received implantation of uncoated stent.