Local tissue reaction and differentiation of the prosthesis-specific antibody response following functional implantation of vascular grafts in pigs

The study was aimed at investigating the local tissue reactions through a histological examination of β-1-integrin expression and neointima formation, and humoral immune responses by detection of prosthesis-specific antibodies, after functional implantation of vascular prostheses. In three groups of pigs, the infrarenal aorta was replaced with segments of collagen-impregnated Dacron®-prostheses: M-prosthesis—medium primary porosity, double velour layer, crimping; C-prosthesis—low primary porosity, no velour, crimping; T-prosthesis—high primary porosity, no velour, no crimping. For each prosthesis type, one series with four animals was used for examining the tissue reactions, and a second series with eight animals was used to study the antibody response, both until 116 days postoperative. In the first three weeks, the M-prosthesis caused the highest tissue reactions and the highest antipolyester antibodies, but the lowest anticollagen antibodies, whereas the T-prosthesis caused the highest anticollagen antibodies, but the least tissue response and antipolyester antibodies in the early phase. On day 116, the C-prosthesis caused the highest tissue reactions and highest polyester-specific antibodies. These results indicate a possible association between local inflammatory reactions and humoral immune responses, influenced by properties of vascular grafts. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008