Mechanical properties and structure of carotid arteries in mice lacking desmin

doi:10.1016/S0008-6363(01)00278-4

Cardiovascular Research 2001 51(1):178-187; doi:10.1016/S0008-6363(01)00278-4
© 2001 by European Society of Cardiology

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Mechanical properties and structure of carotid arteries in mice lacking desmin

Patrick Lacolley^a^,*, Pascal Challande^b, Saliha Boumaza^a, Géraldine Cohuet^a, Stéphane Laurent^a, Pierre Boutouyrie^a, Jean-Alexis Grimaud^c, Denise Paulin^d, Jean-Marie Daniel Lamazière^e and Zhenlin Li^d

^aInstitut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U337, 15 Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
^bLMP CNRS-ESA 7068, Université Paris VI, 2 Place de la Gare de Ceinture, 78210 Saint-Cry l’Ecole, France
^cLIP-CNRS-UMR 7623, Université Paris VI, 15 Rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France
^dMolecular Biology of Differentiation, Université Paris VII, 2 Place Jussieu, 75251 Paris Cedex 05, France
^eINSERM U441, Avenue du Haut-Lévêque, 33600 Pessac, France

^* Corresponding author. Tel.: +33-1-4407-9038; fax: +33-1-4407-9040 lacolley{at}ccr.jussieu.fr

Objective: Our aim was to determine in desmin homozygous mutantmice the viscoelastic properties, the mechanical strength andthe structure of the carotid artery. Methods: To assess theviscoelastic properties of large arteries, we have performedan in vivo analysis of the diameter–, and distensibility–pressurecurves of the common carotid artery (CCA) in homozygous (Des–/–), heterozygous (Des +/–) and wild-type(Des +/+) mice. To evaluate the mechanical strength, we havemeasured the in vitro intraluminal pressure producing the ruptureof the carotid artery wall. The structure analysis of the arterialwall was based on histology and electronic microscopy. Results:A lower distensibility and an increase of arterial wall viscositywere observed in Des –/– compared with Des +/+.Arterial thickness of Des –/– was similar to thoseof Des +/+, without changes in elastin and collagen contents.Electron microscopy revealed that the perimeter of cellularfingerlike-projections was smaller in Des –/–, indicatingthat the cells have lost part of their connections to the extracellularmatrix. The rupture pressure was significantly lower in Des–/– (1500±200 mmHg) compared with Des +/+(2100±80 mmHg) indicating a lower mechanical strengthof the vascular wall. No significant difference was found betweenDes +/– and Des +/+. Conclusion: The desmin is essentialto maintain proper viscoelastic properties, structure and mechanicalstrength of the vascular wall.

KEYWORDS Arteries; Extracellular matrix; Mechanotransduction; Smooth muscle; Ultrasound

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