Serum components stimulate pericardial tissue contraction.

Background And Aims Of The Study: Previous experiments have demonstrated the retraction and fibrosis of vital autologous pericardial flap implants in the descending aorta of sheep. An in-vitro model of pericardial tissue contraction was developed that showed healing reactions similar to those observed in the fresh in-vivo flap. Here, the component(s) of serum that stimulate tissue contraction were partially characterized.