Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO746

Endothelial Cell Transfusion Inhibits Venous Neointima Formation in Arteriovenous Fistulae of Rats with CKD

Session Information

• Hemodialysis: Vascular Access - I
  November 02, 2017 | Location: Hall H, Morial Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Category: Dialysis

• 603 Hemodialysis: Vascular Access

Authors

• Xing, Dongqi, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Dongqi Xing,

• Li, Li, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Li Li,

• Guo, Yuanyuan, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Yuanyuan Guo,

• Chen, Yiu-Fai, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Yiu-Fai Chen,

• Oduk, Yasin, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Yasin Oduk,

• Oparil, Suzanne, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Suzanne Oparil,

• Hage, Fadi G., University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Fadi G. Hage,

Background

The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred choice of vascular access for hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, AVF fail to mature in ~ 40% of cases due to early neointimal hyperplasia (neointimal formation) in AVF vein and persistent inadequate outward remodeling (expansion) of the AVF vein. We have shown that intravenous (i.v.) transfusion of rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in a rat model of CKD. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that i.v. transfusion of RAECs inhibits venous neointima formation in AVF of CKD rats.

Methods

Female ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 5/6th nephrectomy (Nx). After 4 wks, an AVF was created by anastomosing the right femoral vein to the right femoral artery in an end-to-side manner, and rats received i.v. transfusion of 3.0x10⁶ RAECs in 2 ml saline or saline vehicle control. Rats were sacrificed and perfused with formalin 4 wks later. Fistulae were fixed, sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). The ligation site was identified and the vein was sectioned a 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 μm proximal to the ligation site. To calculate the neointima area to vessel size (cross-sectional area) ratio, the circumferential profiles of the lumen and the external lamina of the vein were delineated, and the areas encompassed by these boundaries were determined by ImageJ software.

Results

Serum creatinine level increased from 4.6±0.5 µg/ml to 8.5±1.1 µg/ml after 5/6 Nx (n=11). EC transfusion significantly inhibited neointima formation in femoral vein at 4 wks after AVF (Figure).

Conclusion

EC transfusion inhibited venous neointima formation in AVF, suggesting that EC therapy after AVF may provide a novel strategy for the maintenance of vascular access in hemodialysis patients.

Funding

• Other NIH Support