Effect of iron oxide perfusion on renal micro vessel morphology, and dilatory function and endothelial mRNA expression of mouse aorta

Abstract

Renal microvessels can be selectively isolated using a combined iron oxide‐sieve technique. Here we investigate a potential damaging effect of the iron oxide perfusion on microvessel morphology and endothelial cells. C57Bl6 mice were perfused with PBS (1% albumin) or PBS (1% albumin) with 1% iron oxide. Histology of the kidney was investigated using thin and hemi‐thin sections. Endothelium mediated vasodilatation was tested in rings of abdominal aorta under isometric conditions. Relative mRNA content of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin 1 (ET‐1), and the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1) was determined using quantitative PCR analysis in aorta. The histological investigation did not show damage of microvessels in iron oxide perfused kidneys. There was no difference in the dilatation to acetylcholine in aortas of both groups. The quantitative PCR revealed no differences in the expression of eNOS and ET‐1 comparing iron oxide perfused and PBS perfused vessels. PECAM‐1 expression was enhanced in iron oxide perfused vessels. The study shows that iron oxide perfusion may have a slight effect on the analysis of endothelial mRNA expression as indicated by significant changes in PECAM‐1 expression. Similar dilatory function of aortic rings and similar expression of eNOS and ET‐1 mRNA suggest integrity of endothelial cell layer after iron oxide perfusion in aorta.