Increased expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF-A and its receptors, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and ADAMTS-1 at the venous stenosis of arteriovenous fistula in a mouse model with renal insufficiency.

PURPOSE: A mouse model of renal insufficiency with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and venous stenosis was created. The authors tested the hypothesis that there is increased gene expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha); vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and its receptors (VEGFR-1, -2); matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), -9 (MMP-9); tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, -2 (TIMP-1, -2); and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase thrombospondin-1 (ADAMTS-1) at the venous stenosis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Nineteen male C57BL/6 mice underwent a left nephrectomy and a surgical occlusion of the right upper pole to induce renal function characterized in eight animals. Twenty eight days later, an AVF (n = 11) was created from the right carotid artery to ipsilateral jugular vein, and the mice were killed at day 7 (n = 4) and day 14 (n = 4). The outflow and control veins were removed for gene expression. Three mice were killed at day 28 for histologic analysis.

RESULTS

The mean serum blood urea nitrogen level remained significantly elevated for 8 weeks when compared with baseline (P < .05). By day seven, there was a significant increase in the expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and ADAMTS-1 at the outflow vein, with HIF-1alpha and TIMP-1 levels significantly elevated at day 14 (P < .05). By day 28, the venous stenosis was characterized by a thickened vein wall and neointima.

CONCLUSIONS

A mouse model of renal insufficiency with AVF was developed that had increased expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and ADAMTS-1 at the outflow vein with venous stenosis by day 28.