Advanced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Modeling in Mice by Combination of Topical Elastase and Oral ß-aminopropionitrile

Our research aims to understand the pathophysiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm. In particular, we like to know in the molecular term how aneurysm ruptures. We believe by modeling aortic aneurysm in mice, males and females, will help us to develop a new treatment for this highly lethal disease that urgently needs pharmacological treatment.

The pathophysiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm is multifactorial and complex, which makes animal modeling difficult. The elastase/BAPN model, however, reliably produces aneurysms in mice, which model many of the features and characteristics of the human disease. Combining BAPN drinking water with topical elastase surgery can produce large true infrarenal aneurysms, which form intraluminal thrombus, progressively dilate, and eventually rupture.

This allows researchers the opportunity to study features like rupture risk and aneurysm growth.