Genetic tracing of arterial graft flow surface endothelialization in allogeneic marrow transplanted dogs

In order to trace genetically the source of fallout endothelialization on a rterial grafts, six beagle dogs with successful autologous bone marrow tran splantation received composite tandem aortic grafts with an isolated, total ly impervious Dacron graft and a porous Dacron graft for 12 weeks. For impe rvious segments, five of 12 fresh tissue samples were Factor VIII/von Wille brand factor + (FVIII/vWF) and seven had faint or negative signals; three o f the FVIII/vWF + samples had alpha-actin + smooth muscle cells. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study showed eight had a pure donor DNA genotype and four had donor/host mixed, with the donor predominant. Of 12 AgNO3-stained samples, 11 showed pure donor type and one had donor/host mixed, with the d onor predominant. For porous segments, all 12 fresh samples had positive fl ow surface FVIII/vWF and alpha-actin cells. PCR showed all these samples an d all 12 AgNO3-stained samples had donor/host mixed type, but the host patt ern was predominant. Porous graft healing appears to involve both cellular fallout and tissue ingrowth, and bone-marrow-derived cells may be a source for fallout. (C) 1998 The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.