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Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) induces degradation of the low-density lipoprotein-receptor (LDLR). Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in human atherosclerotic plaques and cultured SMCs express PCSK9. The present study aimed at defining the role of PCSK9 on vascular response to injury.

Carotid neointimal lesions were induced by positioning a non-occlusive collar in PCSK9 knock-out (PCSK9^−/−) and wild type littermate (PCSK9^+/+) mice.

In PCSK9^−/− mice, we observed a significantly less intimal thickening (p < 0.05), a lower intimal media ratio (p < 0.02), and a tendency to higher lumen area, compared to PCSK9^+/+ mice. When compared with PCSK9^−/−, lesions of PCSK9^+/+ mice had a higher content of SMCs (p < 0.05) and collagen (p < 0.05), while no difference was observed in the accumulation of macrophages. PCSK9 was detectable in both left and …