A major barrier in the development of a clinically-useful small-diameter tissue engineered vascular graft (TEVG) is the scaffold component. Scaffold requirements include matching the mechanical and structural properties with those of native vessels and optimizing the microenvironment to foster cell integration, adhesion, and growth. We have developed a small-diameter, bi-layered, biodegradable, elastomeric scaffold based on a synthetic, biodegradable elastomer. The scaffold incorporates a highly porous inner layer, allowing cell integration and growth, and an external, fibrous reinforcing layer deposited by electrospinning. Scaffold morphology and mechanical properties were assessed, quantified, and compared to those of native vessels. Scaffolds were then seeded with adult stem cells via a rotational vacuum seeding device to obtain a TEVG, cultured in dynamic conditions for 7 days, and evaluated for cellularity. The scaffold showed a firm integration of the two polymeric layers with no delaminations. Mechanical properties were physiologically-consistent showing anisotropy, elastic modulus (1.4±0.4 MPa), and ultimate tensile stress (8.3±1.7 MPa) comparable with native vessels. Compliance and suture retention force were 4.6±0.5×10−4 mmHg−1 and 3.4±0.3 N, respectively. Seeding resulted in a rapid, uniform, bulk integration of cells, with a seeding efficiency of 92±1%. The scaffolds maintained a high level of cellular density throughout dynamic culture. This approach, combining artery-like mechanical properties and a rapid and efficient cellularization, might contribute to the future clinical translation of TEVGs.
Collagen is commonly used as a tissue-engineering scaffold, yet its in vivo applications are limited by a deficiency in mechanical strength. The purpose of this work was to explore the utilization of a unique enzymatic crosslinking procedure aimed at improving the mechanical properties of collagen-based scaffold materials. Type I bovine collagen gel was crosslinked by transglutaminase, which selectively mediates the chemical reaction between glutamine and lysine residues on adjacent protein fibers, thus providing covalent amide bonds that serve to reinforce the three-dimensional matrix. The degree of crosslinking was verified by thermal analysis and amine group content. The denaturation temperature of crosslinked collagen reached a maximum of 66 +/- 1 degrees C. The chemical reaction was confirmed to be noncytotoxic with respect to bone marrow stromal cells acquired from New Zealand White rabbits. Tube-shaped cellular constructs fashioned from crosslinked collagen and bone marrow stromal cells were found to have burst pressures significantly higher than their noncrosslinked analogs (71 +/- 4 mmHg vs. 46 +/- 3 mmHg; p < 0.01). Thus, the transglutaminase mediated reaction served to successfully strengthen collagen gels while remaining benign toward cells.
Arterial vein grafts (AVGs) often fail due to intimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, or accelerated atherosclerosis. Various approaches have been proposed to address AVG failure, including delivery of temporary mechanical support, many of which could be facilitated by peri-vascular placement of a biodegradable polymer wrap. The purpose of this work was to demonstrate that a polymer wrap can be applied to vein segments without compromising viability/function, and to demonstrate one potential application; i.e., gradually imposing the mid-wall circumferential wall stress (CWS) in wrapped veins exposed to arterial levels of pressure.Poly(ester urethane)urea, collagen, and elastin were combined in solution, and then electrospun onto freshly-excised porcine internal jugular vein segments. Tissue viability was assessed via Live/ Dead™ staining for necrosis, and vasomotor-challenge with epinephrine and sodium nitroprusside for functionality. Wrapped vein segments were also perfused for 24-hrs within an ex vivo vascular perfusion system under arterial conditions (pressure=120/80 mmHg; flow=100 mL/min), and CWS was calculated every hour.Our results showed that the electrospinning process had no deleterious effects on tissue viability, and that the mid-wall CWS vs. time profile could be dictated through the composition and degradation of the electrospun wrap. This may have important clinical applications by enabling the engineering of an improved AVG.
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