Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) Induced Adhesion Molecules Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Bells by Suppressing (Nuclear Transcription Factor-κB (NF-kappaB) Pathway.

BACKGROUND Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) regulates growth and differentiation and plays a role in key signal transduction cascades in mammalian cells. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism for which RKIP regulates cell-cell adhesion remains unknown. Our study investigated the function of the RKIP overexpression on adhesion molecules expression induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in cultured mouse vascular smooth muscle cells (MOVACs).

[Combined use of optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound during percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with coronary artery disease].

Objective: To evaluate the value of combined optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examinations in detecting coronary artery plaque during percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: OCT and IVUS examinations were performed on 30 diseased coronary vessels from 27 patients underwent PCI from Feb. 2008 to July.