TREATING VASCULAR DISEASE BY INHIBITING TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR-4

摘要

Methods included herein describe the treatment of atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases such as thrombosis, restenosis after angioplasty and/or stenting, and vein-graft disease after bypass surgery, by inhibition of the expression or biologic activity of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4). Also included is an intravascular device coated with a compound that inhibits TLR-4; thereby imparting an improved efficacy to the device. TLR-4 cell signal transduction is at least partially responsible for the manifestation, continuation, and/or worsening of atherosclerosis and other forms of vascular disease. The present invention provides several means with which to inhibit this signal transduction pathway.