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