p27kip1 Knockout enhances collateralization in response to hindlimb ischemia

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. _ENREF_2 The adaptive response to the progressive occlusion of arteries is collateralization (arteriogenesis). As many patients with severe atherosclerosis are not good candidates for angioplasty or surgical bypass, therapies directed toward improving collateralization are needed. The molecular pathways controlling collateralization, however, are not well understood. The human response to arterial injury is affected by a genetic polymorphism in the gene CDKN1B (p27Kip1 or p27). We demonstrate that knockout of p27 improves collateralization. Study of the molecular partners of p27 will identify therapeutic candidates to enhance this process for patients.