title: Tissue expander stimulated lengthening of arteries (TESLA) induces early endothelial cell proliferation in a novel rodent model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examine the mechanism of aortic lengthening in a novel rodent model of tissue expander stimulated lengthening of arteries (TESLA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A rat model of TESLA was examined with a single stretch stimulus applied at the time of tissue expander insertion with evaluation of the aorta at 2, 4 and 7day time points. Measurements as well as histology and proliferation assays were performed and compared to sham controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aortic length was increased at all time points without histologic signs of tissue injury. Nuclear density remained unchanged despite the increase in length suggesting cellular hyperplasia. Cellular proliferation was confirmed in endothelial cell layer by Ki-67 stain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aortic lengthening may be achieved using TESLA. The increase in aortic length can be achieved without tissue injury and results at least partially from cellular hyperplasia. Further studies are required to define the mechanisms involved in the growth of arteries under increased longitudinal stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: kristina.potanos@baystatehealth.org.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Potanos
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: nora.fullington@umassmemorial.org.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fullington
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: rcauley@partners.org.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cauley
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: patty.purcellm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: david.zurakowski@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zurakowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: steven.fishman@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: khashayar.vakili@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Khashayar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vakili
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: heung.kim@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Heung Bae
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Artery lengthening; Midaortic syndrome; Middle aortic syndrome; Stress; Stretch; Tension; Tissue expander