Organisation of experimental thrombosis by blood cells. Evidence of the transformation of mononuclear cells into myofibroblasts and endothelial cells.

To clarify whether thrombus organisation was carried out by local cell activity or by elements of the circulating blood we developed an artificial prosthesis, made of an impermeable polyurethane material with an athrombogenic surface but with a central part consisting of a DACRON velour ring which was thrombogenic. We implanted these devices into the aorta of 10 sheep. In these animals, organisation of the central thrombus by local aortic cells could be excluded. After varying periods of time (2-84 days), the device was removed and the organized thrombus investigated by light and electron microscopy. From our investigations the organisation process with the development of mesenchymal cellular elements proceeded in 3 steps: The activation of the mononuclear macrophage system, the appearance of myofibroblastic cells and endothelial formation. The activation of the mononuclear macrophage system is probably induced by chemospecific products of metabolism arising from aging thrombotic material. Apart from mononuclear elements such as monocytes, macrophages, and giant cells we observed fibroblast-like and myofibroblast-like cells. The matrix contained collagen. Endothelium developed on the surface of the organizing thrombus. The final stage was characterized by the formation of a pseudovessel wall, which followed the pattern of the vascular model. Our findings support the hypothesis that a thrombus may be organized by cells derived from the circulating blood.