A tough nitric oxide-eluting hydrogel coating suppresses neointimal hyperplasia on vascular stent

Abstract

Vascular stent is viewed as one of the greatest advancements in interventional cardiology. However, current approved stents suffer from in-stent restenosis associated with neointimal hyperplasia or stent thrombosis. Herein, we develop a nitric oxide-eluting (NOE) hydrogel coating for vascular stents inspired by the biological functions of nitric oxide for cardiovascular system. Our NOE hydrogel is mechanically tough and could selectively facilitate the adhesion of endothelial cells. Besides, it is non-thrombotic and capable of inhibiting smooth muscle cells. Transcriptome analysis unravels the NOE hydrogel could modulate the inflammatory response and induce the relaxation of smooth muscle cells. In vivo study further demonstrates vascular stents coated with it promote rapid restoration of native endothelium, and persistently suppress inflammation and neointimal hyperplasia in both leporine and swine models. We expect such NOE hydrogel will open an avenue to the surface engineering of vascular implants for better clinical outcomes.

Nitric Oxide-Releasing Platforms for Treating Cardiovascular Disease

“…Besides adhering to pathological sites of tissues, hydrogels can be used as the coating and deposited on medical devices such as implants or stents. Chen et al designed a nitric oxide-eluting (NOE) hydrogel coating for the surface modification of vascular stents [112].…”

“…Besides adhering to pathological sites of tissues, hydrogels can be used as the coating and deposited on medical devices such as implants or stents. Chen et al designed a nitric oxide-eluting (NOE) hydrogel coating for the surface modification of vascular stents [ 112 ]. The NOE hydrogel consisted of gelatin and alginate, which acted as backbones for conjugating with SeCA to produce NO by catalyzing endogenous NO donor GSNO ( Figure 8 ).…”

“…The hydrogels could be used as coating for vascular stents. Reproduced with permission from [ 112 ], Nature Communications, 2021.…”

“…Hybrid hydrogels made up of gelatin and maleimidemodified alginate, which are conjugated with SeCA to produce NO by catalyzing endogenous GSNO.The hydrogels could be used as coating for vascular stents. Reproduced with permission from[112], Nature Communications, 2021.…”

A two-photon ratiometric fluorescent probe for real-time imaging and quantification of NO in neural stem cells during activation regulation

“…Excessive and unregulated NO in cells is associated with many diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. 5–8 Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a capable tool, for the quantification of NO with high selectivity and accuracy, especially in complex biological environments such as living cells and tissues.…”