title: Antiproliferative effects of the antiallergic agent azelastine on human aortic smooth-muscle cells: an in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to examine the effects of azelastine on proliferation, clonogenic activity, cell-cycle, and migration of human aortic smooth-muscle cells (haSMCs) in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  HaSMCs were treated for 4 days with azelastine (1 micromol/L, 25 micromol/L, 50 micromol/L). Half of the treated groups were incubated again with azelastine, the other half received azelastine-free medium every 4 days until day 20. The growth kinetics and clonogenic activity were assessed. The cell-cycle distribution was investigated by FACS -- analysis and the migratory ability was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Azelastine inhibited the proliferation and the clonogenic activity of haSMCs in a dose dependent manner. A G2/M-phase block was induced and the migratory ability was significantly impaired.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Azelastine has the potential to inhibit the proliferation of haSMCs. If a sufficient dose can be applied either systemically or locally it could be a valuable substance to prevent restenosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen, Germany. Schoeber.wogi@t-online.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schöber
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiskirchen
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kehlbach
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gebert
authors.forename: Enno
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodegerdts
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Betsch
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Johst
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feuls
authors.forename: Claus D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Claussen
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Duda
mesh_terms: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D010793:Phthalazines; C020976:azelastine