A new perfusion culture system used to study human vein

Background. Cell culture studies, ring studies, and indirect physiologic st udies are the predominant models used to study human vascular tissue. Such studies are limited in their capacity to permit physiologic single-factor c hanges or to provide the proper mechanical stress or extracellular matrix p resent in normal tissues. We present a newly devised organ culture system t hat addresses these issues and permits survival of intact segments of human vascular tissue in a perfused environment. Our experience culturing human saphenous vein with this system is detailed. Methods. Perfusion culture chambers were designed and constructed in our la boratory. Excess saphenous vein segments were collected from coronary arter y bypass graft cases at our hospital and then mounted into our perfusion cu lture system for 0, 24, 48, 72, or 96 h. Vasomotor assays, hematoxylin and eosin staining, bromodeoxyuridine staining, and factor VIII staining were p et-formed to assess tissue survival. Results. A total of 24 veins were cultured. Average vessel length was 5 cm. The vessels contracted and relaxed the following amounts: time 0 (6.7% con traction, 5.0% relaxation), 24 h (5.7%, 5.3%), 48 h (5.2%, 2.8%), 72 h (4.8 %, 5.3%), 96 h (4.8%, 3.8%). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, bromodeoxyurid ine staining, and factor Vm staining support the viability of the tissue se gments. Conclusion. A new perfusion organ culture system has been devised that perm its survival of intact human venous tissue for periods up to 96 h. Studies that permit physiologic single-factor changes along with precise control of the hemodynamic environment are possible with this system. (C) 2000 Academ ic Press.