Evaluation of the Immunogenicity of a Vascular Graft Covered with Collagen Derived from the European Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Bovine Collagen

Figure 4

Cell proliferation of in vitro stimulated splenocytes of implanted (BOV, CYP) and control groups (SHAM) determined 7 days (green bars) and 14 days (yellow bars) after surgery expressed as stimulation index. Cultures of mouse splenocytes were incubated in supplemented RPMI 1640 medium alone (C, negative control), with pokeweed mitogen (PWM, positive control), with bovine and carp gel (gBOV or gCYP), and bovine and carp implant (iBOV or iCYP). After 48 h incubation, an 18 h pulse of ³H-thymidine (37 kBq) was added. Its incorporation by mouse lymphocytes was measured by a beta-counter. The results are expressed as stimulation index - mean activity (count per minute) relative to the negative control (K). Cell proliferation in the CYP group by CYP gel at 14 days was significantly lower than by BOV gel in BOV group (P=.0031) or by CYP gel in control group (P=.041).