The migratory response to platelet-derived growth factor of smooth muscle cells isolated from synthetic vascular grafts in a canine model.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies on smooth muscle cells (SMCs) harvested from implanted synthetic grafts demonstrate increased production of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) but decreased proliferative response compared with aortic SMCs. The purpose of this study was to determine the migratory response of graft versus aortic SMCs.


METHODS
Thoracoabdominal grafts were implanted in beagles. The SMCs were harvested from the graft and infrarenal aorta. Migration was determined with the use of a razor-scrape assay and computerized image analysis.


RESULTS
The mean distance migrated and the number of cells that migrated were greater in graft SMCs at baseline (185 +/- 18 micrometer and 108 +/- 17 cells) compared with aortic cells (110 +/- 10 micrometer and 42 +/- 5 cells)(P <.05). Baseline differences persisted after treatment with antibodies to PDGF. The addition of PDGF (10 ng/mL) resulted in increased migration in both graft (229 +/- 23 micrometer and 146 +/- 20 cells) and aortic SMCs (130 +/- 9 micrometer and 70 +/- 5 cells) compared with baseline (P <.05). The relative increase in response to PDGF was similar between the two groups (P = not significant).


CONCLUSIONS
Graft SMCs differ phenotypically from aortic SMCs; they exhibit increased basal migration that is independent of autocrine stimulation by PDGF. In contrast to their blunted proliferative response, graft SMCs have a similar migratory response to PDGF compared with aortic SMCs.
Minion
D J
DJ
Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Snajdar
R M
RM
Van De Kerkhove
M P
MP
Van Aalst
J A
JA
Fox
P L
PL
Graham
L M
LM
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D004285:Dogs; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates