Mouse model of arterial injury.

In the present study, we established an injury model of the mouse carotid artery. Complete removal of the endothelium was achieved with a flexible wire. A platelet monolayer covered the denuded surface, and damage to underlying medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was detected. Injection of 3Hthymidine was used to determine the replication index for medial SMCs, which was found to be 1.6% at 2 days after denudation and 9.8% at 5 days. SMCs were observed in the intima by day 8 (replication index, 66%), and by 2 weeks the intimal lesion had a similar cell content as the media. In most animals, repair of the endothelial lining was complete 3 weeks after injury. The present model will allow us to use transgenic animals to address questions relevant to vascular biology and atherosclerosis.