Background Cell adhesion molecules facilitate the adherence of platelets and leukocytes to the vascular endothelium in response to injury. Restenosis after balloon angioplasty is thought to represent the response to vascular injury. The role of cell adhesion in this process is unclear.

Methods and Results This study was performed in New Zealand White rabbits that underwent balloon angioplasty of the iliac artery. Expression of the cell adhesion molecule E-selectin on endothelium was determined by immunohistochemistry and increased at 6 hours with a peak expression 24 to 48 hours after balloon injury, returning to baseline by 1 week. The expression of L-selectin on circulating leukocytes, measured by flow cytometry, was significantly increased at 48 hours, with return to baseline by 1 week. In seven animals, the selectins were blocked with an analogue of sialyl-Lewis^X given as an IV bolus of 10 mg/kg followed by 2 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹ IP infusion for 7 days. After 4 weeks, compared with control animals, the study group had a larger lumen area (57.7 versus 44.7 mm², P<.05), smaller intima area (9.0 versus 19.2 mm², P<.01), smaller intima/media ratio (0.4 versus 1.0, P<.01), and a smaller percent area stenosis (15.6% versus 34.3%, P<.01).

Conclusions The cell adhesion molecules E-selectin and L-selectin are expressed after balloon injury. Blockade of the selectins has a favorable effect on the response to vascular injury.