A System to Evaluate the Effect of Stress on Arterial Remodeling

Arterial remodeling is a process by which arteries
respond to sustained changes in their mechanical
environment. This process occurs in a way such that
an artery s local mechanical environment
(circumferential, shear, and axial stress) is
maintained at a homeostatic level. However, most
studies utilize a methodology that controls the
global parameters (pressure, flow rate, and axial
stretch). This approach often confounds the results
since the actual drivers of remodeling are not
independently isolated.

The results of this study demonstrate the ability of
a novel organ culture system to achieve and maintain
target values of stress throughout the culture
period. Cell viability, general arterial morphology,
and collagen synthesis rates were maintained for all
arteries. The elevated axial stress appeared to
cause a softening of the artery in both the axial and
circumferential direction. It was hypothesized that
this softening was the result of a changing collagen
structure. Additional softening seen in arteries was
attributed to the effects of the culture system.

Autorentext

Zachary Dominguez graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institutein 2006 (B.S.M.E.) and from Georgia Institute of Technology(M.S.M.E.) in 2008. He is currently working in the medicaldevice industry as a mechanical engineer.

Klappentext

Arterial remodeling is a process by which arteriesrespond to sustained changes in their mechanicalenvironment. This process occurs in a way such thatan artery's local mechanical environment(circumferential, shear, and axial stress) ismaintained at a homeostatic level. However, moststudies utilize a methodology that controls theglobal parameters (pressure, flow rate, and axialstretch). This approach often confounds the resultssince the actual drivers of remodeling are notindependently isolated.The results of this study demonstrate the ability ofa novel organ culture system to achieve and maintaintarget values of stress throughout the cultureperiod. Cell viability, general arterial morphology,and collagen synthesis rates were maintained for allarteries. The elevated axial stress appeared tocause a softening of the artery in both the axial andcircumferential direction. It was hypothesized thatthis softening was the result of a changing collagenstructure. Additional softening seen in arteries wasattributed to the effects of the culture system.