1
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Franklin MK, Sawada H, Ito S, Howatt DA, Amioka N, Liang CL, Zhang N, Graf DB, Moorleghen JJ, Katsumata Y, Lu HS, Daugherty A. β-Aminopropionitrile Induces Distinct Pathologies in the Ascending and Descending Thoracic Aortic Regions of Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1555-1569. [PMID: 38779856 PMCID: PMC11209774 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) is a pharmacological inhibitor of LOX (lysyl oxidase) and LOXLs (LOX-like proteins). Administration of BAPN promotes aortopathies, although there is a paucity of data on experimental conditions to generate pathology. The objective of this study was to define experimental parameters and determine whether equivalent or variable aortopathies were generated throughout the aortic tree during BAPN administration in mice. METHODS BAPN was administered in drinking water for a period ranging from 1 to 12 weeks. The impacts of BAPN were first assessed with regard to BAPN dose, and mouse strain, age, and sex. BAPN-induced aortic pathological characterization was conducted using histology and immunostaining. To investigate the mechanistic basis of regional heterogeneity, the ascending and descending thoracic aortas were harvested after 1 week of BAPN administration before the appearance of overt pathology. RESULTS BAPN-induced aortic rupture predominantly occurred or originated in the descending thoracic aorta in young C57BL/6J or N mice. No apparent differences were found between male and female mice. For mice surviving 12 weeks of BAPN administration, profound dilatation was consistently observed in the ascending region, while there were more heterogeneous changes in the descending thoracic region. Pathological features were distinct between the ascending and descending thoracic regions. Aortic pathology in the ascending region was characterized by luminal dilatation and elastic fiber disruption throughout the media. The descending thoracic region frequently had dissections with false lumen formation, collagen deposition, and remodeling of the wall surrounding the false lumen. Cells surrounding the false lumen were predominantly positive for α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin). One week of BAPN administration compromised contractile properties in both regions equivalently, and RNA sequencing did not show obvious differences between the 2 aortic regions in smooth muscle cell markers, cell proliferation markers, and extracellular components. CONCLUSIONS BAPN-induced pathologies show distinct, heterogeneous features within and between ascending and descending aortic regions in mice.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aminopropionitrile/toxicity
- Aminopropionitrile/pharmacology
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Female
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Disease Models, Animal
- Aortic Rupture/chemically induced
- Aortic Rupture/pathology
- Aortic Rupture/metabolism
- Aortic Rupture/prevention & control
- Mice
- Vascular Remodeling/drug effects
- Dilatation, Pathologic
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Age Factors
- Time Factors
- Sex Factors
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Sohei Ito
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Deborah A. Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Naofumi Amioka
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Ching-Ling Liang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Nancy Zhang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - David B. Graf
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | | | - Yuriko Katsumata
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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2
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Khan H, Abu-Raisi M, Feasson M, Shaikh F, Saposnik G, Mamdani M, Qadura M. Current Prognostic Biomarkers for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of the Literature. Biomolecules 2024; 14:661. [PMID: 38927064 PMCID: PMC11201473 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a progressive dilatation of the aorta that can lead to aortic rupture. The pathophysiology of the disease is not well characterized but is known to be caused by the general breakdown of the extracellular matrix within the aortic wall. In this comprehensive literature review, all current research on proteins that have been investigated for their potential prognostic capabilities in patients with AAA was included. A total of 45 proteins were found to be potential prognostic biomarkers for AAA, predicting incidence of AAA, AAA rupture, AAA growth, endoleak, and post-surgical mortality. The 45 proteins fell into the following seven general categories based on their primary function: (1) cardiovascular health, (2) hemostasis, (3) transport proteins, (4) inflammation and immunity, (5) kidney function, (6) cellular structure, (7) and hormones and growth factors. This is the most up-to-date literature review on current prognostic markers for AAA and their functions. This review outlines the wide pathophysiological processes that are implicated in AAA disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamzah Khan
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Mohamed Abu-Raisi
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Manon Feasson
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Farah Shaikh
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Gustavo Saposnik
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Muhammad Mamdani
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Mohammad Qadura
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
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3
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Rego BV, Murtada SI, Li G, Tellides G, Humphrey JD. Multiscale insights into postnatal aortic development. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024; 23:687-701. [PMID: 38151614 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01800-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite its vital importance for establishing proper cardiovascular function, the process through which the vasculature develops and matures postnatally remains poorly understood. From a clinical perspective, an ability to mechanistically model the developmental time course in arteries and veins, as well as to predict how various pathologies and therapeutic interventions alter the affected vessels, promises to improve treatment strategies and long-term clinical outcomes, particularly in pediatric patients suffering from congenital heart defects. In the present study, we conducted a multiscale investigation into the postnatal development of the murine thoracic aorta, examining key allometric relations as well as relationships between in vivo mechanical stresses, collagen and elastin expression, and the gradual accumulation of load-bearing constituents within the aortic wall. Our findings suggest that the production of fibrillar collagens in the developing aorta associates strongly with the ratio of circumferential stresses between systole and diastole, hence emphasizing the importance of a pulsatile mechanobiological stimulus. Moreover, rates of collagen turnover and elastic fiber compaction can be inferred directly by synthesizing transcriptional data and quantitative histological measurements of evolving collagen and elastin content. Consistent with previous studies, we also observed that wall shear stresses acting on the aorta are similar at birth and in maturity, supporting the hypothesis that at least some stress targets are established early in development and maintained thereafter, thus providing a possible homeostatic basis to guide future experiments and inform future predictive modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno V Rego
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Sae-Il Murtada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Guangxin Li
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - George Tellides
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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4
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Rego BV, Weiss D, Humphrey JD. A Fast, Robust Method for Quantitative Assessment of Collagen Fibril Architecture from Transmission Electron Micrographs. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:2099-2107. [PMID: 37856696 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals; it exhibits a hierarchical organization and provides structural support to a wide range of soft tissues, including blood vessels. The architecture of collagen fibrils dictates vascular stiffness and strength, and changes therein can contribute to disease progression. While transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is routinely used to examine collagen fibrils under normal and pathological conditions, computational tools that enable fast and minimally subjective quantitative assessment remain lacking. In the present study, we describe a novel semi-automated image processing and statistical modeling pipeline for segmenting individual collagen fibrils from TEM images and quantifying key metrics of interest, including fibril cross-sectional area and aspect ratio. For validation, we show first-of-their-kind illustrative results for adventitial collagen in the thoracic aorta from three different mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno V Rego
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, 55 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Louisiana State University, 149 E. B. Doran Building, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, 55 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, 55 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, 10 Amistad Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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5
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Dalbosco M, Terzano M, Carniel TA, Fancello EA, Holzapfel GA. A two-scale numerical study on the mechanobiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230472. [PMID: 37907092 PMCID: PMC10618057 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a serious condition whose pathophysiology is related to phenomena occurring at different length scales. To gain a better understanding of the disease, this work presents a multi-scale computational study that correlates AAA progression with microstructural and mechanical alterations in the tissue. Macro-scale geometries of a healthy aorta and idealized aneurysms with increasing diameter are developed on the basis of existing experimental data and subjected to physiological boundary conditions. Subsequently, microscopic representative volume elements of the abluminal side of each macro-model are employed to analyse the local kinematics at the cellular scale. The results suggest that the formation of the aneurysm disrupts the micromechanics of healthy tissue, which could trigger collagen growth and remodelling by mechanosensing cells. The resulting changes to the macro-mechanics and microstructure of the tissue seem to establish a new homeostatic state at the cellular scale, at least for the diameter range investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misael Dalbosco
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- GRANTE—Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Michele Terzano
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Thiago A. Carniel
- Polytechnic School, Community University of Chapecó Region, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Community University of Chapecó Region, Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Eduardo A. Fancello
- GRANTE—Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- LEBm—University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Gerhard A. Holzapfel
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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6
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Murtada SI, Latorre M, Humphrey JD. Remodeling of the uterine artery during and early after pregnancy in the mouse. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2023; 22:1531-1540. [PMID: 36550244 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-022-01674-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy associates with dramatic changes in maternal cardiovascular physiology that ensure that the utero-placental circulation can support the developing fetus. Particularly striking is the marked flow-induced remodeling of uterine arteries during pregnancy and their recovery following birth. Whereas details are available in the literature on alterations in hemodynamics within and changes in the dimensions of uterine arteries during and following pregnancy in mice, we report here the first biaxial biomechanical phenotyping of these arteries during this dynamic period of growth and remodeling (G&R). To gain additional insight into the measured G&R, we also use a computational constrained mixture model to describe and predict findings, including simulations related to complications that may arise during pregnancy. It is found that dramatic pregnancy-induced remodeling of the uterine artery is largely, but not completely, reversed in the postpartum period, which appears to be driven by increases in collagen turnover among other intramural changes. By contrast, data on the remodeling of the ascending aorta, an elastic artery, reveal modest changes that are fully recovered postpartum. There is strong motivation to continue biomechanical studies on this critical aspect of women's health, which has heretofore not received appropriate consideration from the biomechanics community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae-Il Murtada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marcos Latorre
- Center for Research and Innovation in Bioengineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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7
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Weiss D, Rego BV, Cavinato C, Li DS, Kawamura Y, Emuna N, Humphrey JD. Effects of Age, Sex, and Extracellular Matrix Integrity on Aortic Dilatation and Rupture in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:e358-e372. [PMID: 37470181 PMCID: PMC10528515 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transmural failure of the aorta is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality; it occurs when mechanical stress exceeds strength. The aortic root and ascending aorta are susceptible to dissection and rupture in Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder characterized by a progressive reduction in elastic fiber integrity. Whereas competent elastic fibers endow the aorta with compliance and resilience, cross-linked collagen fibers confer stiffness and strength. We hypothesized that postnatal reductions in matrix cross-linking increase aortopathy when turnover rates are high. METHODS We combined ex vivo biaxial mechanical testing with multimodality histological examinations to quantify expected age- and sex-dependent structural vulnerability of the ascending aorta in Fbn1C1041G/+ Marfan versus wild-type mice without and with 4-week exposures to β-aminopropionitrile, an inhibitor of lysyl oxidase-mediated cross-linking of newly synthesized elastic and collagen fibers. RESULTS We found a strong β-aminopropionitrile-associated sexual dimorphism in aortic dilatation in Marfan mice and aortic rupture in wild-type mice, with dilatation correlating with compromised elastic fiber integrity and rupture correlating with compromised collagen fibril organization. A lower incidence of rupture of β-aminopropionitrile-exposed Marfan aortas associated with increased lysyl oxidase, suggesting a compensatory remodeling of collagen that slows disease progression in the otherwise compromised Fbn1C1041G/+ aorta. CONCLUSIONS Collagen fiber structure and function in the Marfan aorta are augmented, in part, by increased lysyl oxidase in female and especially male mice, which improves structural integrity, particularly via fibrils in the adventitia. Preserving or promoting collagen cross-linking may represent a therapeutic target for an otherwise vulnerable aorta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.V.R., C.C., D.S.L., Y.K., N.E., J.D.H.)
| | - Bruno V Rego
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.V.R., C.C., D.S.L., Y.K., N.E., J.D.H.)
| | - Cristina Cavinato
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.V.R., C.C., D.S.L., Y.K., N.E., J.D.H.)
| | - David S Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.V.R., C.C., D.S.L., Y.K., N.E., J.D.H.)
| | - Yuki Kawamura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.V.R., C.C., D.S.L., Y.K., N.E., J.D.H.)
| | - Nir Emuna
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.V.R., C.C., D.S.L., Y.K., N.E., J.D.H.)
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.V.R., C.C., D.S.L., Y.K., N.E., J.D.H.)
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (J.D.H.)
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8
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Irons L, Cavinato C, Humphrey JD. Persistent non-homeostatic remodeling of aortic collagen following a brief episode of hypertension: A computational study. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 144:105966. [PMID: 37327590 PMCID: PMC10353492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The healthy adult aorta exhibits a remarkable homeostatic ability to respond to sustained changes in hemodynamic loads under many circumstances, but this mechanical homeostasis can be compromised or lost in natural aging and diverse pathological processes. Herein, we investigate persistent non-homeostatic changes in the composition and mechanical properties of the thoracic aorta in adult wild-type mice following 14 days of angiotensin II-induced hypertension. We employ a multiscale computational model of arterial growth and remodeling driven by mechanosensitive and angiotensin II-related cell signaling pathways. We find that experimentally observed findings can only be recapitulated computationally if the collagen deposited during the transient period of hypertension has altered properties (deposition stretch, fiber angle, crosslinking) compared with the collagen produced in the original homeostatic state. Some of these changes are predicted to persist for at least six months after blood pressure is restored to normal levels, consistent with the experimental findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Irons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Cristina Cavinato
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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9
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Rego BV, Weiss D, Humphrey JD. A fast, robust method for quantitative assessment of collagen fibril architecture from transmission electron micrographs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.06.527383. [PMID: 36798181 PMCID: PMC9934578 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.06.527383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals; it exhibits a hierarchical organization and provides structural support to a wide range of soft tissues, including blood vessels. The architecture of collagen fibrils dictates vascular stiffness and strength, and changes therein can contribute to disease progression. While transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is routinely used to examine collagen fibrils under normal and pathological conditions, computational tools that enable fast and minimally subjective quantitative assessment remain lacking. In the present study, we describe a novel semi-automated image processing and statistical modeling pipeline for segmenting individual collagen fibrils from TEM images and quantifying key metrics of interest, including fibril cross-sectional area and aspect ratio. For validation, we show illustrative results for adventitial collagen in the thoracic aorta from three different mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno V. Rego
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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10
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Lu HS, Sawada H, Daugherty A. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Insights into Mechanical and Extracellular Matrix Effects from Mouse Models. JVS Vasc Sci 2023; 4:100099. [PMID: 37180337 PMCID: PMC10172769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2023.100099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
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11
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Brunet J, Pierrat B, Adrien J, Maire E, Lane BA, Curt N, Bravin A, Laroche N, Badel P. In situ visualization of aortic dissection propagation in notched rabbit aorta using synchrotron X-ray tomography. Acta Biomater 2023; 155:449-460. [PMID: 36343907 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.10.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Aortic dissection is a complex, intramural, and dynamic condition involving multiple mechanisms, hence, difficult to observe. In the present study, a controlled in vitro aortic dissection was performed using tension-inflation tests on notched rabbit aortic segments. The mechanical test was combined with conventional (cCT) and synchrotron (sCT) computed tomography for in situ imaging of the macro- and micro-structural morphological changes of the aortic wall during dissection. We demonstrate that the morphology of the notch and the aorta can be quantified in situ at different steps of the aortic dissection, and that the notch geometry correlates with the critical pressure. The phenomena prior to propagation of the notch are also described, for instance the presence of a bulge at the tip of the notch is identified, deforming the remaining wall. Finally, our method allows us to visualize for the first time the propagation of an aortic dissection in real-time with a resolution that has never previously been reached. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: With the present study, we investigated the factors leading to the propagation of aortic dissection by reproducing this mechanical process in notched rabbit aortas. Synchrotron CT provided the first visualisation in real-time of an aortic dissection propagation with a resolution that has never previously been reached. The morphology of the intimal tear and aorta was quantified at different steps of the aortic dissection, demonstrating that the early notch geometry correlates with the critical pressure. This quantification is crucial for the development of better criteria identifying patients at risk. Phenomena prior to tear propagation were also described, such as the presence of a bulge at the tip of the notch, deforming the remaining wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Brunet
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Univ Jean Monnet, INSERM, U 1059 Sainbiose, 42023, Saint-Étienne, France; European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.
| | - B Pierrat
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Univ Jean Monnet, INSERM, U 1059 Sainbiose, 42023, Saint-Étienne, France.
| | - J Adrien
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, MATEIS CNRS UMR5510, Villeurbanne, France
| | - E Maire
- Université de Lyon, INSA-Lyon, MATEIS CNRS UMR5510, Villeurbanne, France
| | - B A Lane
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Univ Jean Monnet, INSERM, U 1059 Sainbiose, 42023, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - N Curt
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Univ Jean Monnet, INSERM, U 1059 Sainbiose, 42023, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - A Bravin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France
| | - N Laroche
- Univ Jean Monnet, Mines Saint-Étienne, INSERM, U 1059 Sainbiose, 42023, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - P Badel
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Univ Jean Monnet, INSERM, U 1059 Sainbiose, 42023, Saint-Étienne, France
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12
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Irons L, Estrada AC, Humphrey JD. Intracellular signaling control of mechanical homeostasis in the aorta. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2022; 21:1339-1355. [PMID: 35867282 PMCID: PMC10547132 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-022-01593-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mature arteries exhibit a preferred biomechanical state in health evidenced by a narrow range of intramural and wall shear stresses. When stresses are perturbed by changes in blood pressure or flow, homeostatic mechanisms tend to restore target values via altered contractility and/or cell and matrix turnover. In contrast, vascular disease associates with compromised homeostasis, hence we must understand mechanisms underlying mechanical homeostasis and its robustness. Here, we use a multiscale computational model wherein mechanosensitive intracellular signaling pathways drive arterial growth and remodeling. First, we identify an ensemble of cell-level parameterizations where tissue-level responses are well-regulated and adaptive to hemodynamic perturbations. The responsible mechanism is persistent multiscale negative feedback whereby mechanosensitive signaling drives mass turnover until homeostatic target stresses are reached. This demonstrates how robustness emerges despite inevitable cell and individual heterogeneity. Second, we investigate tissue-level effects of signaling node knockdowns (ATIR, ROCK, TGF[Formula: see text]RII, PDGFR, ERK1/2) and find general agreement with experimental reports of fault tolerance. Robustness against structural changes manifests via low engagement of the node under baseline stresses or compensatory multiscale feedback via upregulation of additional pathways. Third, we show how knockdowns affect collagen and smooth muscle turnover at baseline and with perturbed stresses. In several cases, basal production is not remarkably affected, but sensitivities to stress deviations, which influence feedback strength, are reduced. Such reductions can impair adaptive responses, consistent with previously reported aortic vulnerability despite grossly normal appearances. Reduced stress sensitivities thus form a candidate mechanism for how robustness is lost, enabling transitions from health towards disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Irons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ana C Estrada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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13
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Tian X, Zhao K, Teng A, Li Y, Wang W. A rethinking of collagen as tough biomaterials in meat packaging: assembly from native to synthetic. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:957-977. [PMID: 35997287 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2111401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Due to the high moisture-associated typical rheology and the changeable and harsh processing conditions in the production process, packaging materials for meat products have higher requirements including a sufficient mechanical strength and proper ductility. Collagen, a highly conserved structural protein consisting of a triple helix of Gly-X-Y repeats, has been proved to be suitable packaging material for meat products. The treated animal digestive tract (i.e. the casing) is the perfect natural packaging material for wrapping meat into sausage. Its thin walls, strong toughness and impact resistance make it the oldest and best edible meat packaging. Collagen casing is another wisdom of meat packaging, which is made by collagen fibers from hide skin, presenting a rapid growth in casing market. To strengthen mechanical strength and barrier behaviors of collagen-based packaging materials, different physical, chemical, and biological cross-linking methods are springing up exuberantly, as well as a variety of reinforcement approaches including nanotechnology. In addition, the rapid development of biomimetic technology also provides a good research idea and means for the promotion of collagen's assembly and relevant mechanical properties. This review can offer some reference on fundamental theory and practical application of collagenous materials in meat products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Tian
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - KaiXuan Zhao
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Anguo Teng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Li
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenhang Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, China
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14
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Goswami S, Li DS, Rego BV, Latorre M, Humphrey JD, Karniadakis GE. Neural operator learning of heterogeneous mechanobiological insults contributing to aortic aneurysms. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20220410. [PMID: 36043289 PMCID: PMC9428523 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a localized dilatation of the aorta that can lead to life-threatening dissection or rupture. In vivo assessments of TAA progression are largely limited to measurements of aneurysm size and growth rate. There is promise, however, that computational modelling of the evolving biomechanics of the aorta could predict future geometry and properties from initiating mechanobiological insults. We present an integrated framework to train a deep operator network (DeepONet)-based surrogate model to identify TAA contributing factors using synthetic finite-element-based datasets. For training, we employ a constrained mixture model of aortic growth and remodelling to generate maps of local aortic dilatation and distensibility for multiple TAA risk factors. We evaluate the performance of the surrogate model for insult distributions varying from fusiform (analytically defined) to complex (randomly generated). We propose two frameworks, one trained on sparse information and one on full-field greyscale images, to gain insight into a preferred neural operator-based approach. We show that this continuous learning approach can predict the patient-specific insult profile associated with any given dilatation and distensibility map with high accuracy, particularly when based on full-field images. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of applying DeepONet to support transfer learning of patient-specific inputs to predict TAA progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somdatta Goswami
- Division of Applied Mathematics, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - David S. Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Bruno V. Rego
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marcos Latorre
- Centre for Research and Innovation in Bioengineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - George Em Karniadakis
- Division of Applied Mathematics, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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15
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Weiss D, Long AS, Tellides G, Avril S, Humphrey JD, Bersi MR. Evolving Mural Defects, Dilatation, and Biomechanical Dysfunction in Angiotensin II-Induced Thoracic Aortopathies. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:973-986. [PMID: 35770665 PMCID: PMC9339505 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.317394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracic aortopathy associates with extracellular matrix remodeling and altered biomechanical properties. We sought to quantify the natural history of thoracic aortopathy in a common mouse model and to correlate measures of wall remodeling such as aortic dilatation or localized mural defects with evolving microstructural composition and biomechanical properties of the wall. METHODS We combined a high-resolution multimodality imaging approach (panoramic digital image correlation and optical coherence tomography) with histopathologic examinations and biaxial mechanical testing to correlate spatially, for the first time, macroscopic mural defects and medial degeneration within the ascending aorta with local changes in aortic wall composition and mechanical properties. RESULTS Findings revealed strong correlations between local decreases in elastic energy storage and increases in circumferential material stiffness with increasing proximal aortic diameter and especially mural defect size. Mural defects tended to exhibit a pronounced biomechanical dysfunction that is driven by an altered organization of collagen and elastic fibers. CONCLUSIONS While aneurysmal dilatation is often observed within particular segments of the aorta, dissection and rupture initiate as highly localized mechanical failures. We show that wall composition and material properties are compromised in regions of local mural defects, which further increases the dilatation and overall structural vulnerability of the wall. Identification of therapies focused on promoting robust collagen accumulation may protect the wall from these vulnerabilities and limit the incidence of dissection and rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT. (D.W., A.S.L., J.D.H., M.R.B.)
| | - Aaron S Long
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT. (D.W., A.S.L., J.D.H., M.R.B.)
| | - George Tellides
- Department of Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT. (G.T.).,Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (G.T., J.D.H.)
| | - Stéphane Avril
- Mines Saint-Etienne, University of Lyon, University Jean Monnet, INSERM, France (S.A.)
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT. (D.W., A.S.L., J.D.H., M.R.B.).,Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (G.T., J.D.H.)
| | - Matthew R Bersi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT. (D.W., A.S.L., J.D.H., M.R.B.).,Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, MO (M.R.B.)
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16
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Berman AG, Romary DJ, Kerr KE, Gorazd NE, Wigand MM, Patnaik SS, Finol EA, Cox AD, Goergen CJ. Experimental aortic aneurysm severity and growth depend on topical elastase concentration and lysyl oxidase inhibition. Sci Rep 2022; 12:99. [PMID: 34997075 PMCID: PMC8742076 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04089-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation and expansion is highly complex and multifactorial, and the improvement of animal models is an important step to enhance our understanding of AAA pathophysiology. In this study, we explore our ability to influence aneurysm growth in a topical elastase plus β-Aminopropionitrile (BAPN) mouse model by varying elastase concentration and by altering the cross-linking capability of the tissue. To do so, we assess both chronic and acute effects of elastase concentration using volumetric ultrasound. Our results suggest that the applied elastase concentration affects initial elastin degradation, as well as long-term vessel expansion. Additionally, we assessed the effects of BAPN by (1) removing it to restore the cross-linking capability of tissue after aneurysm formation and (2) adding it to animals with stable aneurysms to interrupt cross-linking. These results demonstrate that, even after aneurysm formation, lysyl oxidase inhibition remains necessary for continued expansion. Removing BAPN reduces the aneurysm growth rate to near zero, resulting in a stable aneurysm. In contrast, adding BAPN causes a stable aneurysm to expand. Altogether, these results demonstrate the ability of elastase concentration and BAPN to modulate aneurysm growth rate and severity. The findings open several new areas of investigation in a murine model that mimics many aspects of human AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alycia G Berman
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Daniel J Romary
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Katherine E Kerr
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Natalyn E Gorazd
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Morgan M Wigand
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Sourav S Patnaik
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ender A Finol
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Abigail D Cox
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Craig J Goergen
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
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17
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Cavinato C, Chen M, Weiss D, Ruiz-Rodríguez MJ, Schwartz MA, Humphrey JD. Progressive Microstructural Deterioration Dictates Evolving Biomechanical Dysfunction in the Marfan Aorta. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:800730. [PMID: 34977201 PMCID: PMC8716484 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.800730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medial deterioration leading to thoracic aortic aneurysms arises from multiple causes, chief among them mutations to the gene that encodes fibrillin-1 and leads to Marfan syndrome. Fibrillin-1 microfibrils associate with elastin to form elastic fibers, which are essential structural, functional, and instructional components of the normal aortic wall. Compromised elastic fibers adversely impact overall structural integrity and alter smooth muscle cell phenotype. Despite significant progress in characterizing clinical, histopathological, and mechanical aspects of fibrillin-1 related aortopathies, a direct correlation between the progression of microstructural defects and the associated mechanical properties that dictate aortic functionality remains wanting. In this paper, age-matched wild-type, Fbn1 C1041G/+, and Fbn1 mgR/mgR mouse models were selected to represent three stages of increasing severity of the Marfan aortic phenotype. Ex vivo multiphoton imaging and biaxial mechanical testing of the ascending and descending thoracic aorta under physiological loading conditions demonstrated that elastic fiber defects, collagen fiber remodeling, and cell reorganization increase with increasing dilatation. Three-dimensional microstructural characterization further revealed radial patterns of medial degeneration that become more uniform with increasing dilatation while correlating strongly with increased circumferential material stiffness and decreased elastic energy storage, both of which comprise aortic functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cavinato
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Minghao Chen
- Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Maria Jesús Ruiz-Rodríguez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin A. Schwartz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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18
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Rego BV, Weiss D, Bersi MR, Humphrey JD. Uncertainty quantification in subject-specific estimation of local vessel mechanical properties. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 37:e3535. [PMID: 34605615 PMCID: PMC9019846 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.3535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative estimation of local mechanical properties remains critically important in the ongoing effort to elucidate how blood vessels establish, maintain, or lose mechanical homeostasis. Recent advances based on panoramic digital image correlation (pDIC) have made high-fidelity 3D reconstructions of small-animal (e.g., murine) vessels possible when imaged in a variety of quasi-statically loaded configurations. While we have previously developed and validated inverse modeling approaches to translate pDIC-measured surface deformations into biomechanical metrics of interest, our workflow did not heretofore include a methodology to quantify uncertainties associated with local point estimates of mechanical properties. This limitation has compromised our ability to infer biomechanical properties on a subject-specific basis, such as whether stiffness differs significantly between multiple material locations on the same vessel or whether stiffness differs significantly between multiple vessels at a corresponding material location. In the present study, we have integrated a novel uncertainty quantification and propagation pipeline within our inverse modeling approach, relying on empirical and analytic Bayesian techniques. To demonstrate the approach, we present illustrative results for the ascending thoracic aorta from three mouse models, quantifying uncertainties in constitutive model parameters as well as circumferential and axial tangent stiffness. Our extended workflow not only allows parameter uncertainties to be systematically reported, but also facilitates both subject-specific and group-level statistical analyses of the mechanics of the vessel wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno V. Rego
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Matthew R. Bersi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Correspondence Jay D. Humphrey, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Malone Engineering Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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