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Implantation of Inferior Vena Cava Interposition Graft in Mouse Model
Published on: June 4, 2014
Bioengineered vascular graft grown in the mouse peritoneal cavity
Lei Song1, Lai Wang, Prediman K Shah
1Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center and Division of Cardiology, Burns and Allen Research Institute, Cedars Sinai Heart Institute, USA.
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|August 10, 2010
Summary
The mouse peritoneum acts as a bioreactor, generating engineered vascular grafts from non-vascular progenitor cells. These grafts, when used as autografts, become arterialized and maintain patency for at least four months.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- The mouse peritoneum's potential as a bioreactor for generating engineered tissues for bypass grafting was investigated.
- The study aimed to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tissue generation within the peritoneal cavity using a mouse model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the mouse peritoneum can function as a bioreactor to create bio-engineered tissues for bypass grafting.
- To explore the cellular and molecular processes involved in tissue generation within the peritoneal cavity.
Main Methods:
- Plastic tubes were implanted into the peritoneal cavities of three mouse strains (C57BL/6, BALB/c, MRL) for 8 weeks.
- Harvested tissue capsules were analyzed using immunostaining and microarray. Autografts were created from MRL mice and their patency and functionality assessed via micro-ultrasound and laser Doppler imaging.
Main Results:
- Tissue capsules generated in the peritoneum showed shared gene expression programs and high cellular plasticity across mouse strains.
- Autografts demonstrated 62% patency at 4 months, with initial blood flow recovery to arterial graft levels within 1 month.
- Immunostaining revealed autografts developed thick, vascularized walls with endothelial and smooth muscle cells.
Conclusions:
- The mouse peritoneal cavity effectively functions as a bioreactor for generating bio-engineered tissues.
- Harvested tissue capsules consist of non-vascular progenitor cells that, upon grafting, undergo arterialization and maintain long-term patency.
