A novel mouse model of autologous venous graft intimal hyperplasia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To investigate the molecular mechanism of autologous venous graft intimal hyperplasia, a mouse model is needed. Currently only vein to carotid artery mouse models are available and are hampered by a high thrombosis rate. We hypothesized that operating on the aorta would lead to intimal hyperplasia with decreased risk of thrombosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In C57BL/6J mice, the left external jugular vein was grafted into the infrarenal abdominal aorta by end-to-end anastomosis with 11-0 Ethilon. Grafts harvested at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks postoperatively were subjected to histological and immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS:

Thirty-one of 35 mice survived; 2 mice were sacrificed secondary to thrombosis. The percentage lumen narrowing (+/-SE) was 7.8 +/- 0.3, 16.4 +/- 0.9, 19.2 +/- 0.9, 22.3 +/- 0.8, and 23.9 +/- 1.6% at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks, respectively. Nuclear density decreased with each successive time point. The percentage of alpha-smooth-muscle actin-positive cells within the neointima peaked at 16 weeks (53%), and the percentage of cells positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen peaked at 2 weeks (39%).

CONCLUSIONS:

We thus report on a novel mouse model of intimal hyperplasia in autologous venous grafts with a low thrombosis rate. Further studies using this model, coupled with genetic and bone marrow transplantation mouse models, should lead to significant enhancement in understanding of the mechanism of intimal hyperplasia.

• Authors: Yanpeng Diao, Jing Xue, Mark S Segal
• Journal: The Journal of surgical research (J Surg Res) Vol. 126 Issue 1 Pg. 106-13 (Jun 01 2005) ISSN: 0022-4804 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15916983 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Proliferation
• Disease Models, Animal
• Hyperplasia
• Jugular Veins (transplantation)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Muscle, Smooth, Vascular (pathology)
• Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (analysis)
• Transplantation, Autologous
• Tunica Intima (pathology)