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Published on: April 13, 2015
Positive Echocardiographic Association between Carotid Artery and Coronary Artery Diameter and Z-Score in a Mouse
Wen-Ling Shih1,2, Tsung-Ming Yeh1,2, Kuang-Den Chen3,4
1Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu 912301, Taiwan.
Insights
This study developed a mouse model for Kawasaki disease (KD) using Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE). Researchers found that LCWE induced vasculitis in coronary and carotid arteries, offering a new method to study KD progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pediatric Immunology
- Animal Models of Disease
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is a pediatric illness with unknown causes, potentially leading to dangerous coronary artery aneurysms.
- Established mouse models for KD using Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE) involve sacrificing animals, hindering longitudinal studies of coronary artery lesions (CALs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally survey the vasculitis status of the coronary and carotid arteries in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease.
- To establish and validate a non-invasive method for assessing coronary artery changes in KD.
Main Methods:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) was induced in 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice via intraperitoneal injection of Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE).
- Longitudinal changes in carotid and coronary arteries were monitored, and coronary artery diameter Z-scores were analyzed using echocardiography.
Main Results:
- LCWE administration led to significant dose-dependent increases in carotid artery wall thickness and diameter, and aortic dimensions.
- A positive correlation was observed between carotid artery dimensions and coronary artery diameter.
- Coronary artery diameter significantly increased post-day 7 in the LCWE group, with over 80% of high-dose group exhibiting Z-scores > 3.0.
Conclusions:
- This study introduces the use of coronary artery Z-scores via echocardiography in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease (KD).
- A significant positive association was found between carotid artery and coronary artery diameters in the KD mouse model.
- This non-invasive approach facilitates longitudinal studies of KD vasculitis, aiding in understanding disease progression and potential therapeutic targets.
Abstract:
Kawasaki disease (KD) occurs in young children, has an unknown etiology, and can cause such life-threatening complications as coronary artery aneurysm. A mouse model using Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE) with intraperitoneal injection was established for KD years ago. Histological examination of coronary artery lesions indicated features similar to those of vascular lesions of patients with KD. Since animals must be sacrificed during histological examination, the longitudinal survey of coronary artery lesions (CALs) is difficult. The aim of this study was to survey the vasculitis status of the coronary artery and the carotid artery in a KD mouse model.
Method:
LCWE was intraperitoneally injected into 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice to induce CALs. We studied the longitudinal status of the carotid and coronary arteries and analyzed the Z-score of coronary artery diameter.
Results:
Carotid artery wall thickness (day 7) and diameter (day 14) significantly increased in the LCWE group with a dose-dependent effect (p < 0.05). Aortic diameter and wall thickness demonstrated significant increases on day 28 and day 7, respectively (p < 0.05). Carotid artery outer diameter and wall thickness were positively associated with coronary artery diameter on day 28 (p < 0.01). Coronary artery diameter significantly increased in the LCWE group after day 7 (p < 0.05). The percentage of Z > 3.0 indicated was more than 80% in the high-dose LCWE group and 0% in the control group.
Conclusions:
This report is the first to use coronary artery Z-score in a mouse model of KD by echocardiography and to find a positive association between carotid artery and coronary artery diameter.
