Initial investigation of novel human‐like collagen/chitosan scaffold for vascular tissue engineering

Abstract

With the increasing occurrence of vascular diseases and poor long-term patency rates of current small diameter vascular grafts, it becomes urgent to pursuit biomaterial as scaffold to mimic blood vessel morphologically and mechanically. In this study, novel human-like collagen (HLC, produced by recombinant E. coli)/chitosan tubular scaffolds were fabricated by cross-linking and freeze-drying process. The scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and tensile test, respectively. Human venous fibroblasts were expanded and seeded onto the scaffolds in the density of 1 x 10(5) cells/cm(2). After a 15-day culture under static conditions, the cell-polymer constructs were observed using SEM, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), histological examination, and biochemical assays for cell proliferation and extracellular matrix production (collagen and glycosaminoglycans). Furthermore, the scaffolds were implanted into rabbits' livers to evaluate their biocompatibility. The results indicated that HLC/chitosan tubular scaffolds (1) exhibited interconnected porous structure; (2) achieved the desirable levels of pliability (elastic up to 30% strain) and stress of 300 +/- 16 kPa; (3) were capable of enhancing cell adhesion and proliferation and ECM secretion; (4) showed superior biocompatibility. This study suggested the feasibility of HLC/chitosan composite as a promising candidate scaffold for blood vessel tissue engineering.

Sorbitol-Plasticized and Neutralized Chitosan Membranes as Skin Substitutes

“…For some cells of specific tissue types, sometimes, chitosan based biomaterials do not provide a good interface for cell interaction 26,27 . Therefore, other biomaterials, such as collagen 28,29 , gelatin 24 , hyaluronan 30 , heparin 31 , silk fibroin 32 , fibrin 33 or poly-D-lysine 34 with tissue-specific binding sequence, could be blended with chitosan to improve cell affinity. For this finality, and improve cell and tissue response, chitosan scaffolds also had been also loaded with many bioactive molecules, such as FGF2, EGF, PDGF, VEFG, IFN-γ or TGF-β1 35 .…”

Effect of Temperature on Self‐Interaction of Human‐Like Collagen

“…HLC have been used for the research and development of biological materials. 11,12 Similar to collagen derived from animals, HLC self-interaction is also greatly affected by temperature. Because of the lack of prolyl hydroxylation however, the melting temperature of HLC is relatively low.…”

A genetic algorithm for the optimization of the thermoinduction protocol for high‐level production of recombinant human‐like collagen from Escherichia coli

“…This protein contains a repeating triple-helix structure of collagen and possesses several advantages such as water solubility, no virus risk, low immunogenicity, and easy modification [1]. Hitherto, a few studies have focused on application of RHLC in tissue engineering for the construction of artificial bone and scaffold used in vascular tissues [2][3][4].…”