Targeted approach for next-generation coronary stents

Graphical AbstractFirst-generation, bare-metal stents successfully open and support occluded vessels but are prone to in-stent restenosis caused by excessive vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Drug-eluting stents overcome these drawbacks by coating bare-metal stents with anti-proliferative compounds, but due to the broad mechanism of action in blocking proliferation in different cell types, they are associated with late-stent thrombosis caused by delayed or impaired re-endothelialization. CCN5 protein-coated stents are designed to both block smooth muscle cell proliferation and promote re-endothelialization due to the differential functions of CCN5 in these different vascular cell types.Open in new tabDownload slide