Heterogeneous gene expression during early arteriovenous fistula remodeling suggests that downregulation of metabolism predicts adaptive venous remodeling

Method: Aortocaval fistula creation (AVF group) or sham operation (sham group) was performed with C57BL/6 mice (10 wk). Ultrasound was performed to confirm the AVF patency and to measure hemodynamics. Venous limbs were collected on postoperative day 7 and total RNA was extracted. After Poly-A mRNA libraries were constructed, RNA-seq was performed. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified, and subsequent enrichment analyses of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were performed with bioinformatics techniques. Results: 1057 DEG were identified between the AVF and sham groups. Genes in metabolic pathways were significantly downregulated in the AVF. Since gene expression patterns among the AVF group were significantly heterogenous, the AVF group was divided into 2 groups (‘normal’ AVF group; nAVF and ‘outliers’ group; OUT), and subgroup analyses were performed. Although physiological data of body weight change and hemodynamics were not different between the nAVF and OUT groups, 413 DEG were identified between them. Enrichment analyses showed significant overrepresentation of metabolism, immunity, and coagulation in the OUT group. Comparing the nAVF group with the sham group, 403 DEG were identified. Enrichment analyses showed increase of gene expression related to cell cycle, extracellular matrix, and immunity. Comparing these results with previously published data, the gene expression patterns of the nAVF group was consistent with AVF maturation and adaptive remodeling, whereas the OUT group showed attenuated difference, suggesting the heterogeneity of the AVF group reflects early gene expression changes in the process of AVF maturation and failure. Significant sex differences were not observed in the AVF group. Conclusions: A small subset of AVF undergoes aberrant biological processes in the early phase including diminished ECM remodeling, activated coagulation and upregulated metabolism, that could lead to fistula failure. Detection of these processes might be a viable translational strategy to predict fistula failure and reduce patient morbidity.