Controlled autologous recellularization and inhibited degeneration of decellularized vascular implants by side-specific coating with stromal cell-derived factor 1α and fibronectin

Abstract

Optimized biocompatibility is crucial for the durability of cardiovascular implants. Previously, a combined coating with fibronectin (FN) and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α) has been shown to accelerate the in vivo cellularization of synthetic vascular grafts and to reduce the calcification of biological pulmonary root grafts. In this study, we evaluate the effect of side-specific luminal SDF1α coating and adventitial FN coating on the in vivo cellularization and degeneration of decellularized rat aortic implants. Aortic arch vascular donor grafts were detergent-decellularized. The luminal graft surface was coated with SDF1α, while the adventitial surface was coated with FN. SDF1α-coated and uncoated grafts were infrarenally implanted (n = 20) in rats and followed up for up to eight weeks. Cellular intima population was accelerated by luminal SDF1α coating at two weeks (92.4 ± 2.95% versus 61.1 ± 6.51% in controls, p < 0.001). SDF1α coating inhibited neo-intimal hyperplasia, resulting in a significantly decreased intima-to-media ratio after eight weeks (0.62 ± 0.15 versus 1.35 ± 0.26 in controls, p < 0.05). Furthermore, at eight weeks, media calcification was significantly decreased in the SDF1α group as compared to the control group (area of calcification in proximal arch region 1092 ± 517 μm2 versus 11 814 ± 1883 μm2, p < 0.01). Luminal coating with SDF1α promotes early autologous intima recellularization in vivo and attenuates neo-intima hyperplasia as well as calcification of decellularized vascular grafts.

The application of composite scaffold materials based on decellularized vascular matrix in tissue engineering: a review

“…However, the disadvantage is the aggravation of neointimal hyperplasia [ 68 ]. Sugimura et al modified decellularized vascular scaffolds with the combination of fibronectin and stromal derived factor 1α (SDF1α) and observed similar results [ 69 ].…”

Prosthetic vascular grafts engineered to combat calcification: Progress and future directions

“…Stromal cell‐derived factor 1 (SDF1) is known to stimulate the migration of both smooth muscle progenitor cells (Psaltis & Simari, 2015) and endothelial progenitor cells (Moore et al, 2001). Sugimura et al (2020) designed vascular conduits with decellularized rat aortas coated with SDF1α and fibronectin on the lumen and adventitial sides, respectively. The engineered aortic grafts were infrarenally implanted in rats and followed up for up to 8 weeks.…”

Endothelialization strategy of implant materials surface: The newest research in recent 5 years

“…Because stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 play an important role in EPC mobilization, migration and homing, they can be used to mediate EPC mobilization and homing of endogenous EPCs to implant materials to participate in the endothelialization of materials. [149][150][151] SDF-1 was introduced into the surface of small-diameter implant materials to promote EPCs recruitment, migration, and proliferation of mature endothelial cells and ECs. 152 Shafiq et al 153 constructed SDF-1 release surface on PCL-collagen implant material, which enhanced the recruitment of surface stem cells, accelerated the surface endothelialization and promoted angiogenesis through SDF-1 release.…”

“…Because stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 play an important role in EPC mobilization, migration and homing, they can be used to mediate EPC mobilization and homing of endogenous EPCs to implant materials to participate in the endothelialization of materials. 149–151…”