Remodeling of Autologous Saphenous Vein Grafts

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background Aortocoronary saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) undergo structural changes that render them susceptible to atherosclerosis. Accordingly, the origin of neointimal hyperplasia was examined in porcine arterialized SVGs to determine the mechanism of vein graft remodeling. Methods and Results At 2 to 4 days after surgery, the percentage of cells lacking differentiation markers characteristic for smooth muscle (SM) cells (ie, α-SM actin, desmin, and SM myosin) increased within the media of SVGs interposed in the carotid arteries (P<.001). At 7 to 14 days, these cells acquired a differentiated phenotype (ie, α-SM-actin positive/variable desmin/SM-myosin negative) and accumulated in the neointima. At 3 months, the neointima was positive for α-SM actin but mostly negative for desmin, which contrasted with medial SMCs that were invariably positive for α-SM actin, desmin, and SM myosin. To determine the role of nonmuscle cells in the above process, perivascular wound fibroblasts were selectively labeled and fo...

This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit: