Critical buckling pressure in mouse carotid arteries with altered elastic fibers

Abstract

Arteries can buckle axially under applied critical buckling pressure due to a mechanical instability. Buckling can cause arterial tortuosity leading to flow irregularities and stroke. Genetic mutations in elastic fiber proteins are associated with arterial tortuosity in humans and mice, and may be the result of alterations in critical buckling pressure. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate how genetic defects in elastic fibers affect buckling pressure. We use mouse models of human disease with reduced amounts of elastin (Eln+/−) and with defects in elastic fiber assembly due to the absence of fibulin-5 (Fbln5−/−). We find that Eln+/− arteries have reduced buckling pressure compared to their wild-type controls. Fbln5−/− arteries have similar buckling pressure to wild-type at low axial stretch, but increased buckling pressure at high stretch. We fit material parameters to mechanical test data for Eln+/−, Fbln5−/− and wild-type arteries using Fung and four-fiber strain energy functions. Fitted parameters are used to predict theoretical buckling pressure based on equilibrium of an inflated, buckled, thick-walled cylinder. In general, the theoretical predictions underestimate the buckling pressure at low axial stretch and overestimate the buckling pressure at high stretch. The theoretical predictions with both models replicate the increased buckling pressure at high stretch for Fbln5−/− arteries, but the four-fiber model predictions best match the experimental trends in buckling pressure changes with axial stretch. This study provides experimental and theoretical methods for further investigating the influence of genetic mutations in elastic fibers on buckling behavior and the development of arterial tortuosity.

Artery buckling analysis using a two-layered wall model with collagen dispersion

“…While limitations exist, the use of the two-layered model with dispersed collagen fiber provides an approach better link arterial mechanical stability to specific structural changes in the media and/or adventitia layers as well as to microstructural changes under pathological conditions due to aging, atherosclerosis and arterial degenerative diseases. Furthermore, our previous work has demonstrated elastin degradation in arteries reduces the critical buckling pressure (Lee et al, 2012; Luetkemeyer et al, 2015). Combined, these studies demonstrated arterial mechanical stability is linked to the extracellular matrix of the arterial wall.…”

What is The Correct Mechanical Model of Aorta Artery

“…Q 66 = G 12 (16) According to Betty-Maxwell theorem the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratios should fulfil the following equation…”

“…Also the phenomena, model analyses, experimental measurements, effect on blood flow, and clinical relevance have been discussed. From this and further works Han et al clearly showed that mechanical buckling of aorta artery is an important issue for vasculature, in addition to wall stiffness and strength, and requires further studies [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

Scaling Laws for Vascular Buckling, Axial and Circumferential: Applications to Pulse Wave Velocity

“…All are relevant to the critical buckling load [4], and elastic response of the arteries. In this report, we attempt to investigate the effects of internal inflation pressure on column buckling load, axial and circumferential.…”