Both host and graft vessels contribute to revascularization of xenografted human ovarian tissue in a murine model.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the human ovarian xenograft revascularization process.


METHODS
Prospective experimental study.


METHODS
Gynecology research unit in a university hospital.


METHODS
Ovarian biopsies were obtained from 12 women aged 22-35 years.


METHODS
Frozen-thawed human ovarian fragments were intraperitoneally grafted into nude mice.


METHODS
Graft perfusion was evaluated by Hoechst 33342 uptake. Murine and human vascularization was analyzed by CD31 and von Willebrand factor double immunostaining.


RESULTS
On day 3, some murine neovessels and perfused areas were located at the periphery of the fragments. Nonperfused native human vessels were present in the fragments. From day 5, perfused areas and murine endothelial areas progressively increased. Host angiogenesis initiated ovarian graft reperfusion: murine neovessels penetrated from the periphery and were colocalized with perfused areas. By day 10, the increase in perfusion and murine vascularization was significant. The center of the fragments was perfused and a significant increase was observed in human vasculature.


CONCLUSIONS
Host and graft vessels contributed sequentially to graft revascularization: murine angiogenesis initiated reperfusion from day 5 and, by day 10, human angiogenesis was shown to participate in graft revascularization. Host and graft angiogenesis are potential targets to reduce the avascular period after grafting.
Van Eyck
Anne-Sophie
AS
Department of Gynecology, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
Bouzin
Caroline
C
Feron
Olivier
O
Romeu
Lydia
L
Van Langendonckt
Anne
A
Donnez
Jacques
J
Dolmans
Marie-Madeleine
MM
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001706:Biopsy; D015925:Cryopreservation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D023421:Models, Animal; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D055815:Young Adult; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
D001562:Benzimidazoles; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; C017807:bisbenzimide ethoxide trihydrochloride