CD44 Promotes Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Production During Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) remain the optimal conduit for hemodialysis access but continue to demonstrate poor patency and poor rates of maturation. We hypothesized that CD44, a widely expressed cellular adhesion molecule that serves as a major receptor for extracellular matrix components, promotes wall thickening and extracellular matrix deposition during AVF maturation.

Approach and results

AVF were created via needle puncture in wild-type C57BL/6J and CD44 knockout mice. CD44 mRNA and protein expression was increased in wild-type AVF. CD44 knockout mice showed no increase in AVF wall thickness (8.9 versus 26.8 μm; P=0.0114), collagen density, and hyaluronic acid density, but similar elastin density when compared with control AVF. CD44 knockout mice also

SUBMITTER: Kuwahara G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5467640 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature