Pressure-induced collagen degradation in arterial tissue as a potential mechanism for degenerative arterial disease progression

Gaul, Robert; Nolan, David; Ristori, Tommaso; Bouten, Cvc Carlijn; Loerakker, Sandra; Lally, Caitríona

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103771

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Whilst ultrasound studies have suggested that characterizing strains across a plaque can differentiate between stable and vulnerable cases [26,27], these imaging studies do not provide any insights into the underlying characteristics of the structure which determines the tissue's mechanical behaviour. In a recent ex-vivo investigation on porcine carotid arteries, Gaul et al, [2020] showed that collagen degradation in arterial tissue is a strain dependent process, with increased intraluminal pressure leading to higher circumferential strain and higher collagen degradation [28]. That study also showed premature failure of arteries following accelerated collagen degradation due to the significant load bearing role of collagen in the dominant loading direction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An investigation into the critical role of fibre orientation in the ultimate tensile strength and stiffness of human carotid plaque caps

Johnston

Gaul

Lally

2020

Preprint

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The development and subsequent rupture of atherosclerotic plaques in human carotid arteries is a major cause of ischemic stroke. Mechanical characterization of atherosclerotic plaques can aid our understanding of this rupture risk. Despite this however, experimental studies on human atherosclerotic carotid plaques, and fibrous plaque caps in particular, are very limited. This study aims to provide further insights into atherosclerotic plaque rupture by mechanically testing human fibrous plaque caps, the region of the atherosclerotic lesion most often attributed the highest risk of rupture. The results obtained highlight the variability in the ultimate tensile stress, strain and stiffness experienced in atherosclerotic plaque caps. By pre-screening all samples using small angle light scattering (SALS) to determine the dominant fibre direction in the tissue, along with supporting histological analysis, this work suggests that the collagen fibre alignment in the circumferential direction plays the most dominant role for determining plaque structural stability. The work presented in this study could provide the basis for new diagnostic approaches to be developed, which non-invasively identify carotid plaques at greatest risk of rupture.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An investigation into the critical role of fibre orientation in the ultimate tensile strength and stiffness of human carotid plaque caps

Johnston

Gaul

Lally

2020

Preprint

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“…Collagen fibres are the main load bearing constituent in arterial tissue and many other soft biological tissues (deBotton and Hariton, 2006;Baaijens et al, 2010). The important role of collagen fibres in bearing physiological loads is emphasised in studies such as Sommer et al (2010) and Gaul et al (2020). The specific role of collagen fibres in arteries under supraphysiological loads is discussed in studies such as Weisbecker et al (2013), Schriefl et al (2015), and Ghasemi et al (2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Collagen Fibre Remodelling Rupture Risk Metric for Potentially Vulnerable Carotid Artery Atherosclerotic Plaques

2021

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Atherosclerotic plaque rupture in carotid arteries can lead to stroke which is one of the leading causes of death or disability worldwide. The accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in an artery changes the mechanical properties of the vessel. Whilst healthy arteries can continuously adapt to mechanical loads by remodelling their internal structure, particularly the load-bearing collagen fibres, diseased vessels may have limited remodelling capabilities. In this study, a local stress modulated remodelling algorithm is proposed to explore the mechanical response of arterial tissue to the remodelling of collagen fibres. This stress driven remodelling algorithm is used to predict the optimum distribution of fibres in healthy and diseased human carotid bifurcations obtained using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In the models, healthy geometries were segmented into two layers: media and adventitia and diseased into four components: adventitia, media, plaque atheroma and lipid pool (when present in the MRI images). A novel meshing technique for hexahedral meshing of these geometries is also demonstrated. Using the remodelling algorithm, the optimum fibre patterns in various patient specific plaques are identified and the role that deviations from these fibre configurations in plaque vulnerability is shown. This study provides critical insights into the collagen fibre patterns required in carotid artery and plaque tissue to maintain plaque stability.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pressure-induced collagen degradation in arterial tissue as a potential mechanism for degenerative arterial disease progression

Abstract: Pressure-induced collagen degradation in arterial tissue as a potential mechanism for degenerative arterial disease progression.

Cited by 8 publications

References 48 publications

An investigation into the critical role of fibre orientation in the ultimate tensile strength and stiffness of human carotid plaque caps

An investigation into the critical role of fibre orientation in the ultimate tensile strength and stiffness of human carotid plaque caps

Development of a Collagen Fibre Remodelling Rupture Risk Metric for Potentially Vulnerable Carotid Artery Atherosclerotic Plaques

Data_Sheet_1.docx

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