OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine in desmin homozygous mutant mice the viscoelastic properties, the mechanical strength and the structure of the carotid artery. METHODS: To assess the viscoelastic properties of large arteries, we have performed an in vivo analysis of the diameter-, and distensibility-pressure curves of the common carotid artery (CCA) in homozygous (Des -/-), heterozygous (Des +/-) and wild-type (Des +/+) mice. To evaluate the mechanical strength, we have measured the in vitro intraluminal pressure producing the rupture of the carotid artery wall. The structure analysis of the arterial wall was based on histology and electronic microscopy. RESULTS: A lower distensibility and an increase of arterial wall viscosity were observed in Des -/- compared with Des +/+. Arterial thickness of Des -/- was similar to those of Des +/+, without changes in elastin and collagen contents. Electron microscopy revealed that the perimeter of cellular fingerlike-projections was smaller in Des -/-, indicating that the cells have lost part of their connections to the extracellular matrix. The rupture pressure was significantly lower in Des -/- (1500+/-200 mmHg) compared with Des +/+ (2100+/-80 mmHg) indicating a lower mechanical strength of the vascular wall. No significant difference was found between Des +/- and Des +/+. CONCLUSION: The desmin is essential to maintain proper viscoelastic properties, structure and mechanical strength of the vascular wall.
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine in desmin homozygous mutant mice the viscoelastic properties, the mechanical strength and the structure of the carotid artery. METHODS: To assess the viscoelastic properties of large arteries, we have performed an in vivo analysis of the diameter-, and distensibility-pressure curves of the common carotid artery (CCA) in homozygous (Des -/-), heterozygous (Des +/-) and wild-type (Des +/+) mice. To evaluate the mechanical strength, we have measured the in vitro intraluminal pressure producing the rupture of the carotid artery wall. The structure analysis of the arterial wall was based on histology and electronic microscopy. RESULTS: A lower distensibility and an increase of arterial wall viscosity were observed in Des -/- compared with Des +/+. Arterial thickness of Des -/- was similar to those of Des +/+, without changes in elastin and collagen contents. Electron microscopy revealed that the perimeter of cellular fingerlike-projections was smaller in Des -/-, indicating that the cells have lost part of their connections to the extracellular matrix. The rupture pressure was significantly lower in Des -/- (1500+/-200 mmHg) compared with Des +/+ (2100+/-80 mmHg) indicating a lower mechanical strength of the vascular wall. No significant difference was found between Des +/- and Des +/+. CONCLUSION: The desmin is essential to maintain proper viscoelastic properties, structure and mechanical strength of the vascular wall.
Authors: Joanna M S Davies; Josiane Cillard; Bertrand Friguet; Enrique Cadenas; Jean Cadet; Rachael Cayce; Andrew Fishmann; David Liao; Anne-Laure Bulteau; Frédéric Derbré; Amélie Rébillard; Steven Burstein; Etienne Hirsch; Robert A Kloner; Michael Jakowec; Giselle Petzinger; Delphine Sauce; Florian Sennlaub; Isabelle Limon; Fulvio Ursini; Matilde Maiorino; Christina Economides; Christian J Pike; Pinchas Cohen; Anne Negre Salvayre; Matthew R Halliday; Adam J Lundquist; Nicolaus A Jakowec; Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou; Mathias Mericskay; Jean Mariani; Zhenlin Li; David Huang; Ellsworth Grant; Henry J Forman; Caleb E Finch; Patrick Y Sun; Laura C D Pomatto; Onnik Agbulut; David Warburton; Christian Neri; Mustapha Rouis; Pierre Cillard; Jacqueline Capeau; Jean Rosenbaum; Kelvin J A Davies Journal: Geroscience Date: 2017-12-21 Impact factor: 7.713