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Balloon-based Injury to Induce Myointimal Hyperplasia in the Mouse Abdominal Aorta
Published on: February 7, 2018
Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Intraluminal Thrombus Composition and Structure.
Cortland H Johns1, Luke E Schepers1, Annabelle M F Foist1,2
1Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S. Martin Jischke Dr., West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is linked to increased growth and wall damage. Modulating inflammation and ILT formation may offer new non-surgical AAA treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pathology
Background:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition characterized by aortic dilation.
- Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) is frequently observed in AAAs, but its precise role in AAA pathogenesis remains unclear.
- Understanding ILT's contribution to AAA progression is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression and associated vascular changes.
- To evaluate the impact of ILT on AAA growth, elastin degradation, and inflammation in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- AAAs were induced in C57Bl6/J mice using elastase and β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN).
- Longitudinal ultrasound imaging tracked AAA growth over 56 days.
- Histological analysis (Movat's pentachrome, H&E) assessed elastin degradation, inflammation, and extracellular matrix composition.
Main Results:
- Mice treated with elastase + BAPN showed continuous AAA growth, with ILT associated with significant expansion.
- Histology revealed increased elastin damage, collagen/proteoglycan accumulation, and inflammation in AAAs with ILT.
- Scanning electron microscopy confirmed fibrin sheets and abnormal red blood cells within ILT, correlating inflammation with elastin damage.
Conclusions:
- ILT in AAAs is associated with accelerated growth, increased wall degradation, and inflammation.
- These findings suggest that targeting inflammation and ILT formation could be a promising non-surgical therapeutic strategy for AAAs.
- Further research into the interplay between ILT, aortic wall integrity, and inflammation is warranted for improved AAA management.
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