Characteristics of the aortic elastic network and related phenotypes in seven inbred rat strains.
Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules such as elastin and collagen provide mechanical support to the vessel wall and are essential for vascular function. Evidence that genetic factors influence aortic ECM composition and organization was concluded from our previous studies showing that the inbred Brown Norway (BN) rat differs significantly from the outbred Long-Evans (LE) and the inbred LOU rat with respect to both thoracic aortic elastin content and internal elastic lamina (IEL) rupture in the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. Here, we measured aortic elastin and collagen contents as well as factors that may modulate these parameters [insulin growth factor (IGF)-I, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2] in seven inbred rat strains, including BN and LOU. We also investigated whether IEL ruptures occur in strains other than BN. We showed that LOU, LE, BN, and Fischer 344 (F344) rats were significantly different for aortic elastin content and elastin-to-collagen ratio, whereas LE, Lewis, WAG, and Wistar-Furth (WF) were similar for these parameters. BN and F344 had the lowest values. BN was the only strain to present numerous IEL ruptures, whereas F344, LE, and WF presented a few and the other strains presented none. In addition, IGF-I and TGF-beta(1) levels in the plasma and aorta differed significantly between strains, suggesting genetic control of their production. Because inbred rat strains provide interesting models for quantitative trait locus analysis, our results concerning elastin, collagen, IEL ruptures, and cytokines may provide a basis for the search for candidate genes involved in the control of these phenotypes.
Behmoaras
Jacques
J
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U460, Cardiovascular Remodelling, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France.
Osborne-Pellegrin
Mary
M
Gauguier
Dominique
D
Jacob
Marie-Paule
MP
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004548:Elasticity; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006339:Heart Rate; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D009929:Organ Size; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011920:Rats, Inbred WF; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012421:Rupture; D013045:Species Specificity; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
C508962:Tgfb1 protein, rat; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2