Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 is abundant in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and macrophages of atherosclerotic plaques and in the injured arterial wall. MCP-1 and its receptor, CCR2, are important mediators of macrophage accumulation and atherosclerotic plaque progression. We have recently reported that CCR2(-/-) mice have a approximate to60% decrease in intimal hyperplasia and medial DNA synthesis in response to femoral arterial injury. We have now examined the response to femoral arterial injury in MCP1(-/-) mice. MCP-1 deficiency was associated with a approximate to30% reduction in intimal hyperplasia at 4 weeks and was not associated with diminished medial DNA synthesis. Despite inducing tissue factor in SMC culture, MCP-1 deficiency was not associated with a decrease in neointimal tissue factor after injury. These data Suggest that MCP-1 and CCR2 deficiencies have distinct effects on arterial injury. The effects of MCP-1 on intimal hyperplasia may be mediated largely through SMC migration. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.