Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in intimal hyperplasia of vein grafts in a rat model.
OBJECTIVE
Most cardiovascular surgeons prefer artery grafts to vein grafts. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is the most potent chemoattractant factor for monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Mphi). We conducted experiments based on our hypothesis that intimal hyperplasia (IH) is more severe in vein grafts than in situ artery grafts, due to differences in Mo/Mphi infiltration, and that the expression of MCP-1 is different in vein grafts compared with in situ artery grafts.


METHODS
Lewis rats were subjected to either epigastric vein to common femoral artery interposition grafts (VG: n = 34) or common femoral artery reanastomoses (FA: n = 34). IH was defined as the intimal area/total area (intimal ratio, Ri). Immunohistochemistry was also performed, using a monoclonal antibody (ED-1), specific for rat Mo/Mphi. MCP-1 mRNA expression was examined by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and compared with S-26 mRNA expression.


RESULTS
After 2 weeks, the Ri of the VGs became significantly larger than the Ri of the FA anastomoses (P < 0.01). ED-1+ cell numbers were significantly elevated in the VG compared with the FA anastomoses, after 1 day, 2 weeks (P < 0.05), and 4 weeks (P < 0.01). MCP-1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in the VGs by 1 day (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that there could be a direct correlation between the significant increases in MCP-1 mRNA expression, Mo/Mphi infiltration, and the development of IH in vein grafts, not seen in FA anastomoses.
Mitsuhiro
Yamamura
Y
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Japan.
Miyamoto
Takashi
T
Hoch
John R
JR
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*
D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D012333:RNA, Messenger