Modulation of tissue factor protein expression in experimental venous bypass grafts

Abstract

Vein graft failure is a major limitation of coronary artery and peripheral vascular surgery. Tissue factor (TF), a transmembrane glycoprotein, generates thrombin by initiating the extrinsic coagulation cascade and plays a major role in the response to arterial injury. This study was designed to examine changes in TF protein expression in response to venous bypass grafting. New Zealand White rabbits underwent interposition bypass grafting of the common carotid artery via the ipsilateral external jugular vein. The contralateral control jugular veins (n=6), early vein grafts (1 or 3 days after grafting, n=18), and late vein grafts (14 or 28 days after grafting, n=8)were examined by immunohistochemistry. The presence or absence of TF immunostaining in the intima was assessed in each vessel quadrant. In control veins, intimal TF staining was present in 5 of 24 vessel quadrants. In early vein grafts, TF staining was markedly increased in the intima (72 of 72 quadrants, P