The universal response of veins to insertion into the arterial circulation is the formation of intimal hyperplasia. 39% of grafts develop significant stenosis within 18 months of implantation and 40% of the remainder develop significant atheromatous lesions within 5-10 years of insertion. The goal of this proposal is to further the understanding of the basic morphological, physiological and cellular changes that occur in veins transplanted into the arterial circulation. Vein grafting into the arterial circulation results in smooth muscle cell proliferation with the formation of intimal hyperplasia. Adverse changes in endothelial function and structure appear to he one of the primary events in the formation of graft intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis. In concert with these changes there is a significant proliferative and synthetic response in the underlying smooth muscle cells.
The aims of this proposal are to define the role of the inflammatory response (PMN, macrophages, endothelial cells, adhesion molecules and cytokines) and endothelial factors in vein graft intimal hyperplasia, to further characterize the physiology and pharmacology of endothelial and smooth muscle cells in both vein graft intimal hyperplasia and atheroma, and to determine the biology of regression of vein graft intimal hyperplasia. In addition, the proposal will investigate the utility and durability of systemic and local pharmacological and molecular control of the intimal hyperplastic response. A comprehensive approach using three vein grafts models, as well as, tissue culture systems is proposed in order to achieve these aims. The fundamental aspects of the intimal hyperplasia response will be studied in a well characterized rabbit vein graft model. Regression of intimal hyperplasia will be induced by transferring vein grafts after l4 days into the venous circulation for a further 14 days, while vein graft atheroma will be induced by feeding animals a 1% cholesterol diet. Systematic examination of vein grafts by histological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical techniques will be carried out. Physiological and pharmacological studies will be performed using whole tissue vasomotor studies and in vitro tissue preparations. Cellular and molecular biology of the vessel wall will be studied by protein and RNA biochemistry (Western & Northern blotting, PCR and in situ hybridization). Alterations in connective tissue composition and synthesis will also be determined. Comparative studies of human vasculature and experimental grafts shall be conducted in each of these areas. The cumulative results of these data will be used to develop and test strategies for the inhibition of intimal hyperplasia. Vein grafts, as biologic conduits, have distinctive native and acquired properties which can impact significantly on subsequent performance. A greater understanding of the sequence of events in the peri-operative and post-operative phases of vein grafting will allow a clearer definition of vein graft pathophysiology. An improved understanding of the pathobiology of vein grafts will ultimately produce practical therapeutic strategies to enhance graft function, control intimal hyperplasia and extend graft patency.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01HL015448-22
Application #
2214869
Study Section
Surgery, Anesthesiology and Trauma Study Section (SAT)
Project Start
1976-05-01
Project End
2000-02-29
Budget Start
1995-04-01
Budget End
1996-02-29
Support Year
22
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
071723621
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Zhang, Lisheng; Hagen, Per-Otto; Kisslo, Joseph et al. (2002) Neointimal hyperplasia rapidly reaches steady state in a novel murine vein graft model. J Vasc Surg 36:824-32
Huynh, T T; Davies, M G; Thompson, M A et al. (2001) Local treatment with recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor reduces the development of intimal hyperplasia in experimental vein grafts. J Vasc Surg 33:400-7
Davies, M G; Huynh, T T; Hagen, P O (2000) Characterization of dopamine-mediated relaxation in experimental vein bypass grafts. J Surg Res 92:103-7
Davies, M G; Huynh, T T; Fulton, G J et al. (1999) Controlling transplant vasculopathy in cryopreserved vein grafts with polyethylene glycol and glutathione during transport. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 17:493-500
Huynh, T T; Iaccarino, G; Davies, M G et al. (1999) External support modulates G protein expression and receptor coupling in experimental vein grafts. Surgery 126:127-34
Huynh, T T; Davies, M G; Trovato, M J et al. (1999) Reduction of lipid peroxidation with intraoperative superoxide dismutase treatment decreases intimal hyperplasia in experimental vein grafts. J Surg Res 84:223-32
Davies, M G; Fulton, G J; Huynh, T T et al. (1999) Combination therapy of cholesterol reduction and L-arginine supplementation controls accelerated vein graft atheroma. Ann Vasc Surg 13:484-93
Huynh, T T; Davies, M G; Trovato, M J et al. (1999) Alterations in wall tension and shear stress modulate tyrosine kinase signaling and wall remodeling in experimental vein grafts. J Vasc Surg 29:334-44
Davies, M G; Huynh, T T; Hagen, P O (1999) Functional characterization of alpha1-adrenergic receptors in experimental vein grafts. J Surg Res 84:40-5
Davies, M G; Hagen, P O (1999) Diabetes attenuates the alterations in both venous endothelial and smooth muscle cell function induced by prolonged hypercholesterolemia in an experimental model. J Invest Surg 12:107-14

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