Vascular calcification in different arterial beds in ex vivo ring culture and in vivo rat model

Abstract

Vascular calcification is a risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Medial calcification may differently affect the arterial tree depending on vessel location and smooth muscle injury. The aim was to map the anatomical distribution of vascular calcifications on different arteries and artery locations, in cultured artery rings (ex vivo) and in a rat model of elastocalcinosis (in vivo). Vascular calcification was assessed histologically (von Kossa staining of the media) and by calcium content measurement. Arteries of different sizes were harvested from untreated rats for ring culture and from the vitamin D3-nicotine (VDN) rat model for direct observation. When cultured in pro-calcifying conditions, thoracic aorta exhibited similar calcification from the arch to the diaphragm. Calcification increased in abdominal aorta along with the reduction in cross sectional area. Carotid and renal arteries exhibited similar ex vivo calcification. In VDN rats, calcification was greater in carotid artery than in aorta, and was accompanied by fibrosis and apoptosis. Ex vivo, calcification was increased by the induction of lesions on arteries. Along the vascular tree, calcification of the arterial wall increases with the narrowing of vessels in ex vivo ring culture and in vivo. The observed differences represent local susceptibility of the vessels to the calcifying processes.

Characterization of a Unique Spontaneous Calcifying Cell Line (CJ): a Novel Tool for the Study of Ectopic Calcification

“…In conclusion, the requirement for FBS is not constant: CJ cells showed a distinct FBS requirement in CaP-ppt formation (Figure 4). Similar FBS-dependent CaP-ppt formation has been reported in an ex vivo organ culture system with 3.8 mM β-GP-added rat aortic rings [44,45]. On the contrary, it has been reported that FBS suppresses calcification in planar culture systems of rat VSMCs [26] or human VSMCs [44] with β-GP added.…”

“…The solution pH problem during calcification is then discussed. In general, there is a traditional view of the EC phenomenon as a cellular degenerative, passive process and a newer view as an active, proactive process mediated by cellular metabolism [45]. The most widely used experimental system for CVC is the combination of primary cultures of arterial smooth muscle or valve stromal cells with high concentrations of phosphoric acid [19].…”

Smooth Muscle Heterogeneity and Plasticity in Health and Aortic Aneurysmal Disease

“…Segment-specific distribution of heterogeneous VSMCs likely contributes significantly to aortic disease characteristics. Further support for this view is the fact that the aortic arch, which is composed of CNC-derived VSMCs, is the segment of the thoracic aorta that is more susceptible to calcification [45,46]. As VSMCs of different embryonic origins have heterogeneous patterns in response to environmental cues, genetic mutations that can affect intracellular signaling could also have heterogeneous effects on them.…”

Scaffold-free human vascular calcification model using a bio-three-dimensional printer

“…Therefore, to study the underlying mechanisms of atherosclerosis and to develop treatments, the following research models have been applied; in vitro models using cultured cells [8,9]; ex vivo models using animal blood vessels [10]; and in vivo models using genetically modified animals or disease model animals with feeding, substance application, or kidney removal [11]. However, the existing atherosclerosis study models have several issues.…”