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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
The perivascular environment along the vertebral artery governs segment-specific structural and mechanical properties
Acta biomaterialia, v 45, pp 286-295
01 Nov 2016
PMID: 27612958
Abstract
[Display omitted]
The vertebral arteries (VAs) are anatomically divided into four segments (V1-V4), which cumulatively transport blood flow through neck and ultimately form the posterior circulation of the brain. The vital physiological function of these conduit vessels depends on their geometry, composition and mechanical properties, all of which may vary among the defined arterial segments. Despite their significant role in blood circulation and susceptibility to injury, few studies have focused on characterizing the mechanical properties of VAs, and none have investigated the potential for segmental variation that could arise due to distinct perivascular environments. In this study, we compare the passive mechanical response of the central, juxtaposed arterial segments of porcine VAs (V2 and V3) via inflation-extension mechanical testing. Obtained experimental data and histological measures of arterial wall composition were used to adjust parameters of structure-motivated constitutive models that quantify the passive mechanical properties of each arterial segment and enable prediction of wall stress distributions under physiologic loads and boundary conditions. Our findings reveal significant segmental differences in the arterial wall geometry and structure. Nevertheless, similar wall stress distributions are predicted in these neighboring arterial segments if calculations account for their specific perivascular environments. These findings allow speculation that segmental differences in wall structure and geometry are a consequence of a previously introduced principle of optimal operation of arteries, which ensures effective bearing of physiological load and a favorable mechanical environment for mechanosensitive vascular smooth muscle cells.
Among the numerous biomechanical investigations devoted to conduit blood vessels, only a few deal with vertebral arteries. While these studies provide useful information that describes the vessel mechanical response, they do not enable identification of a constitutive formulation of the mechanical properties of the vessel wall. This is an important distinction, as a constitutive material model is required to calculate the local stress environment of mechanosensitive vascular cells and fully understand the mechanical implications of both vascular injury and clinical intervention. Moreover, segmental differences in the mechanical properties of the vertebral arteries could be used to discriminate among distinct modes of injury and disease etiologies.
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Details
- Title
- The perivascular environment along the vertebral artery governs segment-specific structural and mechanical properties
- Creators
- Boran Zhou - University of South CarolinaMohammed Alshareef - Medical University of South CarolinaDavid Prim - University of South CarolinaMichael Collins - University of South CarolinaMichael Kempner - University of South CarolinaAdam Hartstone-Rose - University of South CarolinaJohn F. Eberth - University of South CarolinaAlexander Rachev - University of South CarolinaTarek Shazly - University of South Carolina
- Publication Details
- Acta biomaterialia, v 45, pp 286-295
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 10
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000387298300021
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84992313505
- Other Identifier
- 991021902502704721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Biomedical
- Materials Science, Biomaterials