SVILUPPO DI UN METODO DI ORGANO COLTURA DI AORTA SUINA PER LO STUDIO SPERIMENTALE DELL’ENDOTELIO VASCOLARE

The aim of this study is to develop a porcine aortic organ culture that preserve phenotypic features of vascular cell types. In particular, we analyzed factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), that are associated with endothelial cells activation. VEGF secretion analysis demonstrate that using a specific medium for endothelial cells our system is stable for 14 days. MMPs zymographic analysis reveal a significant activation of MMP2 in culture medium but this is mainly due to the edges of the aortic ring. MMP2 is slightly activated in tissue, but is greatly activated if tissue is mechanically damaged. Histological analysis reveal no structural modification in tissue. These data suggest that our system represents a powerful tool to study vascular physiopathology because it preserves viability and stability of all cellular types, in particular endothelial cells.