The ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of restenosis

•Ubiquitinated proteins were disregulated in neointima of injured carotid arteries.•E1 chemical inhibitors or genetically knockdown attenuated neointima formation in injured rat carotid arteries.•E1 inhibition reduced monocyte/macrophage infiltration and NF κB activation by blocking IκB degradation.•E1 inhibition supressed VSMCs proliferation and chemical inhibitors induced VSMCs apoptosis.