Delayed re-endothelialization with rapamycin-coated stents is rescued by the addition of a glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitor.

Aims: Drug-eluting stents (DESs) reduce neointima area and in-stent restenosis but delay re-endothelialization. Recently, we demonstrated that pharmacological expansion and functional enhancement of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can be achieved by treatment with a glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitor (GSKi)—even for feeble cells derived from coronary artery disease patients. GSKi treatment enhanced EPC adhesion via up-regulated expression of the α-4 integrin, ameliorated re-endothelialization, and reduced neointima formation in denuded murine arteries. Hence, we hypothesized that GSKi-coated stents (GSs) will enhance EPC adhesion and attenuate delayed vascular healing associated with rapamycin, a key DES agent. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]