Collagens, laminin, fibronectin, and cytoskeletal composition of cells in syngeneic aortal vein grafts in the rat

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Abstract
The supradiaphragmatic vena cava of the rat was transplanted to the abdominal aorta in syngeneic recipients. The cells and the connective tissue matrix of these grafts were studied 3 days to 12 weeks after transplantation by immunofluorescence staining of the cytoskeletal proteins desmin, vimentin, and myosin. The matrix proteins, collagen Types I and III, laminin, fibronectin, and fibrin(ogen) were similarly demonstrated. Blood coagulation Factor VIII was used as a marker for endothelial cells. Inflammatory cells invaded the graft during Week 1, but later on the grafts were crowded with cells containing vimentin. Intimal thickenings developed already after 1 week. Smooth muscle cells containing desmin proliferated in these thickenings. After transplantation collagen Type I increased in the graft, but collagen Type III rather decreased. During the phase of intense proliferation of smooth muscle cells the media contained a rich matrix of diffusely distributed laminin. The laminin of older grafts was confined mostly to the subintimal zone and to the intimal plaques.