AimTo observe the influence of the early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (decoy ODNs) on the expression of Egr-1 and cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61/CCN1) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured in vitro and investigate the mechanism about Egr-1 decoy ODNs inhibiting VSMCs migration.MethodsCultured the VSMCs in vitro and transfected Egr-1 decoy ODNs.Detected the mRNA level and the protein expression of Egr-1 and CCN1 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical method at the different time points of normal control group (normal cultured cells) and the decoy group (transfected Egr-1 decoy ODN).The migration lenth of each group was observed by wound-healing assay.ResultsThe results of RT-PCR and cell immunohistochemistry analysis showed that there was certain expression of Egr-1 and CCN1 mRNA and protein in these three groups.At the different time points, the level of Egr-1 and CCN1 mRNA and protein were decreased obviously in the decoy group compared with the normal control group (p<0.05).Wound-healing assay showed that the migration length of the control group, decoy and decoy SCR was 105.23±7.81 μm, 58.65±12.68 μm and 106.47±7.60 μm respectively.The migration length of the decoy group is much shorter than the other groups (p<0.01).ConclusionTransfecting the decoy ODNs of Egr-1 to the arterial VSMCs of rat in vitro can decrease the expression of Egr-1 and CCN1, to achieve the purpose of inhibiting cell migration.