Name: measurement of pulse propagation velocity, distensibility and strain in an abdominal aortic aneurysm mouse model
Uploaded: 2020-02-23T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measurement of Pulse Propagation Velocity, Distensibility and Strain in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mouse Model at JoVE.com

This work was supported by R01HL124155 (CPH) and funding from the Research Institute at the University of Missouri to CPH.

The protocol for handling of mice and ultrasound imaging was approved by the University of Missouri Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (animal protocol number 8799) and was conducted according to AAALAC International.
1. Equipment setup and preparation of mice
<ol>
	<li>Equipment setup
	<ol>
		<li>Turn on the ultrasound instrument, ultrasonic gel warmer and the heating pad.</li>
		<li>Open the ultrasound program and enter the study name and descriptive information for each mouse.</l...

<ol>
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Ultrasound imaging provides a powerful technique for determining functional properties of the aorta through measurements of PPV, distensibility and radial strain. These measurements are particularly instructive for studying mouse models of AAA and the in vivo approach allows for collection of longitudinal data that is potentially important to understanding temporal development of the aortic pathology. Specifically, measurements of in vivo aortic stiffness are determined locally in the abdominal aorta by PPV, distensibili...

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) represents a significant cardiovascular disease characterized by a permanent localized dilation of the aorta exceeding the original vessel diameter by 1.5 times1. AAA ranks among the top 13 causes of mortality in the United States2. The progression of AAA is attributed to the degeneration of the aortic wall and elastin fragmentation, ultimately leading to aortic rupture. These changes in the aortic wall may occur without a significant increase in the maximal intraluminal diameter (MILD), thus suggesting that MILD alone is not sufficient to predict the severity of the disease3. Therefore, additional factors need to be identified to detect initial changes in the aortic wall, which may guide early treatment options. The overall goal of this protocol is to provide a practical guide for assessing aortic functional properties using ultrasound imaging as characterized by measurements of pulse propagation velocity (PPV), distensibility and radial strain.
A well characterized experimental model to study AAA, first described by Daugherty and colleagues, involves subcutaneous infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) via osmotic pumps in Apoe-/- mice4. Precise measurement of MILD using ultrasound imaging has been instrumental in characterizing AAA in this mouse model5. Although histological changes during the development of AAA have been extensively studied, changes in the functional properties of the vessel wall such as aortic stiffness have not been well characterized. This protocol emphasizes the use of high-frequency ultrasound in combination with the sophisticated analyses as powerful tools for studying the temporal progression of AAA. Specifically, these approaches allow us to assess the functional properties of the vessel wall as measured by PPV, distensibility and radial strain.
Recent clinical studies in human subjects with AAA, as well as in the murine elastase-induced AAA model, suggest a positive correlation between aortic stiffness and aortic diameter6,7. PPV, an indicator of aortic stiffness, is accepted as an excellent measurement for quantifying changes in stiffness in vessel wall6,8. PPV is calculated by measuring the transit time of the pulse waveform at two sites along the vasculature, thus providing a regional assessment of aortic stiffness. We have recently demonstrated that increased aortic stiffness as measured by PPV, and at the cellular level as determined using atomic force microscopy, positively correlates with aneurysm development9. Further, the literature suggests that aortic stiffness may precede aneurysmal dilation and thus may provide useful information about regional intrinsic properties of the vessel wall during development of AAA10. Similarly, distensibility and strain measurements are the quantification tools to measure earlier changes of arterial fitness. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, whereas with increased stiffness and less elasticity, distensibility and strain is decreased. Here, we provide a practical guide and step by step protocol for the use of a high-frequency ultrasound system to measure MILD, PPV, distensibility and radial strain in mice. The protocol provides technical approaches that should be used in conjunction with the basic information provided by manuals for specific ultrasound imaging instruments and the accompanying video tutorial. Importantly, in our hands the described imaging protocol provides reproducible and accurate data that appear valuable in the study of the development and progression of experimental AAA.
To further demonstrate the utility of ultrasound imaging, we provide example images and measurements taken from our own studies aimed at using pharmacological approaches for preventing experimental AAA11. Specifically, notch signaling has been proposed to be involved in multiple aspects of vascular development and inflammation12. Using gene haploinsufficiency and pharmacologic approaches, we have previously demonstrated that Notch inhibition reduces the development of AAA in mice by preventing infiltration of macrophages at the site of vascular injury13,14,15. For the current article, using the pharmacological approach for Notch inhibition we focus on the relationship between aortic stiffness and factors relating to AAA. These studies illustrate that Notch inhibition reduces aortic stiffness, which is a measure of AAA progression11.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Angiotensin II</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A9525</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Apoe-/- mice</td>
			<td>The Jackon lab</td>
			<td><img src="/files/ftp_upload/60515/60515mateq.jpg"/></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clippers</td>
			<td>WAHL</td>
			<td>1854</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cotton swab</td>
			<td>Q-tips</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPT</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D5942</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Depilatory cream</td>
			<td>Nair</td>
			<td>LL9038</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electrode cream</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>17-05</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gel warmer</td>
			<td>Thermasonic (Parker)</td>
			<td>82-03 (LED)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heating pad</td>
			<td>Stryker</td>
			<td>T/pump professional</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>VetOne</td>
			<td>Fluriso TM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane vaporizer</td>
			<td>Visualsonics</td>
			<td>VS4244</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lubricating ophthalmic ointment</td>
			<td>Lacri-lube</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Osmotic pumps</td>
			<td>Alzet</td>
			<td>Model 2004</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oxygen tank</td>
			<td>Air gas</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tranducer</td>
			<td>Visualsonics</td>
			<td>MS-400 or MS550D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrasonic gel</td>
			<td>Parker</td>
			<td>Aquasonic clear</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrasound Imaging System</td>
			<td>Visualsonics</td>
			<td>Vevo 2100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vevo Vasc Software</td>
			<td>Visualsonics</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

measurement of pulse propagation velocity, distensibility and strain in an abdominal aortic aneurysm mouse model

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a localized dilation of the abdominal aorta that exceeds the maximal intraluminal diameter (MILD) by 1.5 times of its original size. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that small aneurysms may rupture, while a subpopulation of large aneurysms may remain stable. Thus, in addition to the measurement of intraluminal diameter of the aorta, knowledge of structural traits of the vessel wall may provide important information to assess the stability of the AAA. Aortic stiffening has recently emerged as a reliable tool to determine early changes in the vascular wall. Pulse propagation velocity (PPV) along with the distensibility and radial strain are highly useful ultrasound-based methods relevant for assessing aortic stiffness. The primary purpose of this protocol is to provide a comprehensive technique for the use of ultrasound imaging system to acquire images and analyze the structural and functional properties of the aorta as determined by MILD, PPV, distensibility and radial strain.

Representative M-mode images of the normal and aneurysmal abdominal aorta from mice are shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B, respectively. The suprarenal abdominal aorta is identified by its location next to right renal artery and the superior mesenteric artery (Figure 2A). Representative images used for the calculation of MILD, at three different heartbeats of the systolic cardiac cyc...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measurement of Pulse Propagation Velocity, Distensibility and Strain in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mouse Model at JoVE.com

Measurement of Pulse Propagation Velocity, Distensibility and Strain in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mouse Model

This manuscript describes a detailed protocol for using high frequency ultrasound imaging to measure luminal diameter, pulse propagation velocity, distensibility and radial strain on a mouse model of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a localized dilation of the abdominal aorta that exceeds the maximal intraluminal diameter (MILD) by 1.5 ...

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