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Blood flow decrease induces apoptosis of endothelial cells in previously dilated arteries resulting from chronic high
1Second Department of Pathology, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita, Japan. jsho@stanford.edu
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|July 14, 2001
Summary
Endothelial cell apoptosis increases following reduced arterial blood flow, contributing to arterial remodeling. This study observed significant cell death and decreased cell numbers after flow reduction in rabbit carotid arteries.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cellular Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Arterial remodeling is a complex process involving changes in vessel structure.
- Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood vessels and play a critical role in vascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endothelial cell apoptosis in arterial remodeling due to reduced blood flow.
- To quantify endothelial cell apoptosis after creating reduced flow in a rabbit carotid artery model.
Main Methods:
- Established an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in rabbit carotid arteries for 28 days, then closed it to reduce flow.
- Utilized terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay.
- Employed laser scanning confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy to analyze endothelial cell apoptosis at various time points (1, 3, 7, and 21 days post-closure).
Main Results:
- Carotid artery lumen diameter decreased by 36% after AVF closure.
- Endothelial cell numbers reduced by 45% at 21 days post-closure.
- Endothelial cell apoptosis was detected at 1 day, peaked at 3 days (381.3 cells/mm²), and declined by 7 days. Apoptotic cells exhibited irregular protrusions and fragmented nuclei.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial cell apoptosis is a significant feature of arterial remodeling in response to reduced blood flow.
- The findings suggest that programmed cell death of endothelial cells contributes to the structural changes observed in arteries under altered flow conditions.