The Rat Femoral Arteriovenous Fistula Model: Increased Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and −9 at the Venous Stenosis

A rat femoral AV fistula model was created with venous stenosis formation characterized by thickened neointima composed of α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells compared with controls. At the venous stenosis, there was increased expression of pro-MMP-2 and active MMP-2 by days 14 and 28, with significantly increased expression of pro-MMP-9 by day 28.