Cellular Basis of Vascular-Graft Stenosis

Summary The invention features a mouse model of vascular graft stenosis in which the stenosis develops rapidly and closely mimics the development of vascular graft stenosis in humans. Methods of surgically modifying a mouse artery to obtain the desired model are detailed.

About 400,000 patients undergo aorta-coronary bypass graft surgery annually in the United States. Two years after surgery, up to 30% of vein grafts develop significant occlusion, known as stenosis. The incidence of stenosis rises to approximately 50% ten years after surgery. The factors contributing to graft stenosis are largely unknown and there is a lack of an adequate animal model with which to study the mechanisms involved.

Applications The mouse model described by the invention serves as an excellent research tool in the area of atherosclerosis by virtue of its similarity to the human disease. The invention may be used to screen therapeutic candidates for treatment of graft failure and stenosis. Additionally, the surgical modification described may be performed on a genetically engineered mouse in which a gene has been deleted (knockout mouse), to study the role of a given protein in the smooth muscle cellular processes leading to proliferative changes. For Further Information Please Contact the Director of Business Development Vivian Berlin Email: [email protected] Telephone: (617) 495-0474

Inventor(s): Shi, Chengwei

Type of Offer: Licensing



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