Gene expression analysis of a porcine native abdominal aortic aneurysm model

Introduction We sought to characterize the gene expression patterns occurring during the development of aneurysms in the native porcine aorta. Methods In Yorkshire swine, the infrarenal aorta was balloon dilated and infused with a solution of type I collagenase/pancreatic porcine elastase (16,000 U/1,000 U). Aneurysmal and control aortic samples were obtained at 1 (n = 3), 2 (n = 6), and 4 (n = 5) weeks following aneurysm induction. RNA was isolated, converted to biotin-modified antisense RNA and hybridized to porcine genome arrays. Aneurysmal and control gene intensities were compared using the 2-sample-for-means z-test. P Results Extracellular matrix remodeling genes that were upregulated in aneurysmal compared with control tissue included matrix metalloproteinase-1, -2, -3, and -9; MT-MMP; cathepsin-D, -H, -K, and -S; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1; and collagen I-α1 chain ( P P P P Conclusion The porcine model replicates the gene expression patterns that are observed during the development of aneurysms in human studies as well as in rodent models. The porcine model thereby represents a novel method to study the impact of endovascular, cell-based, and other therapeutic interventions on AAA pathophysiology.