Elastin as a biomaterial for tissue engineering

Tissue elasticity and the ageing elastic fibre

“…2b). The insolubility of cross-linked elastin precludes high-resolution structural determination by techniques such as X-ray crystallography and solution nuclear magnetic resonance, and as a result the molecular structure of crosslinked elastin and hence the mechanisms which drive elastic fibre elasticity remain to be determined (Daamen et al 2007;Keeley et al 2002;Urry et al 2002). Transmission electron and atomic force microscopy (TEM and AFM) investigations, however, have revealed that the apparently amorphous elastin core is actually composed of thin rope-like filaments and globular assemblies (Ronchetti et al 1998), whilst similar features are observed by environmental SEM in coacervated recombinant human tropoelastin (Cain et al 2008) (Fig.…”

Elastin Based Constructs

“…Elastic tissues are particular amenable to this method as the stability and insolubility of the elastin protein means it is resistant to many treatments used during decellularization processes. Decellularizing elastin-rich tissues have been proposed as a path towards the potential replacement of artery, heart valves, bladder skin and lung (Daamen, Veerkamp et al 2007;Petersen, Calle et al 2010;Price, England et al 2010). Enriched elastin vascular grafts generated by decellularization and removal of collagen with proteases from porcine carotid arteries can support fibroblasts in vitro (Chuang, Stabler et al 2009).…”

“…Tissues are treated with chemicals such as NaOH or guanidine-HCl and/or high heat to remove other proteins and cellular material and leave insoluble elastic fibers. However extensive cross-linking and the consequential insolubility of elastin makes it difficult to manipulate in vitro (Daamen, Veerkamp et al 2007). Freeze-dried scaffolds of insoluble elastin fibers and purified collagen fibers present mechanical properties consistent with those of elastic tissues (Buttafoco, EngbersBuijtenhuijs et al 2006).…”

“…Hydrolyzed preparations of elastin display various properties that are similar to the native protein including temperature-induced aggregation (coacervation) and regulation of SMC and fibroblast phenotype (De Vries, Zeegelaar et al 1995;Ito, Ishimaru et al 1998). Fragmentation of elastin is associated with reduced protein structural integrity and altered cellular signaling properties (Daamen, Veerkamp et al 2007;Bax, Rodgers et al 2009). Multiple vascular materials have been synthesized from hydrolyzed elastin preparations (Table 1).…”

Fusion factor

“…Previous skin remodeling studies have suggested that elastin could be useful in dermal regeneration. 5,6 In fact, elastin is one of the components of AlloDerm, an acellular human tissue matrix used for third-degree burns, periodontal surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery. The skin substitute is marketed by the LifeCell Corp. unit of Kinetic Concepts Inc.…”