ECM-based triple layered scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering

Abstract

Abstract. The present study focused on the development of three layered small-diameter (<6 mm) extracellular matrix (ECM)-based vessels. These were engineered artificially through the freeze-drying technique. A layer of decellularized bovine aorta (DAM) was deposited on a mandrel and, after lyophilization, it was dipped into a poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) 2000 dichloromethane solution then quickly wrapped with a pre-prepared thin DAM sheet. Mechanical properties of three-layered scaffolds were evaluated by means of uniaxial tensile measurement. Furthermore, human endothelial and smooth muscle cells were seeded on internal and external scaffold surfaces, respectively, and co-cultured for 7 days. Our results demonstrate that i) ECM components provide suitable stimuli for cell adhesion and proliferation, ii) the microporous intermediate PLLA/ PEG2000 layer is responsible for the scaffold resistance and iii) the layered deposition technique can be considered a valuable method to obtain layered vascular scaffolds of different sizes and with a good compromise between stiffness and elasticity for optimal cell organization.

Evaluation of vascular grafts based on polyvinyl alcohol cryogels

“…By contrast, the presence of ECM macromolecules greatly enhanced the adhesion of HUVECs, allowing the formation of a confluent monolayer 24 h after seeding. A previous study conducted by our group demonstrated that the DVM contained types I and VI collagen, which mediated cell adhesion through the RGD motif (15). Furthermore, the decellularization process may have maintained growth and angiogenic factors, including basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-β, as previously detected in skeletal muscle acellular matrices (20,21).…”

“…The decellularization protocol was repeated four times as previously described (17). Decellularized vessels (1 g) were cut into small pieces and homogenized in 15 ml of cold 1.6 M acetic acid using an IKA T 10 Basic Ultra Turrax homogenizer (IKA ® -Werke GmbH & Co. KG, Staufen, Germany) (15). A stainless steel rod (10 cm in length and 1 mm in diameter) was pre-cooled at -70˚C and dipped in decellularized vessel homogenate several times until the layer deposited reached a thickness of ~1 mm.…”

New Method for Preparing Small-Caliber Artificial Blood Vessel with Controllable Microstructure on the Inner Wall Based on Additive Material Composite Molding

“…The small-caliber blood vessels in the human body are not only small in diameter and thin in wall, but also have a complex layered structure, including an inner layer that supports cells and induces platelet adhesion and aggregation, as well as a middle layer and an outer layer that provide mechanical support [7][8][9][10]. In order to allow the artificial blood vessel to fuse with the host blood vessel after being transplanted into the body, and to quickly achieve the metabolic function of the natural blood vessel, the construction of a small-caliber artificial blood vessel must not only meet the bionic structure and mechanical properties, but also achieve rapid and effective endothelialization.…”

Approaches to Fabricating Multiple-Layered Vascular Scaffolds Using Hybrid Electrospinning and Thermally Induced Phase Separation Methods

“…8 Decellularized bovine aortas have been combined with synthetic polymers to fabricate porous triple-layered vascular grafts as well. 9 However, these methods are not practical due to their high cost and timeconsuming nature. Natural materials, such as silk protein, collagen, and gelatin, have been used in the preparation of vascular grafts because of their high biocompatibility and cell affinity.…”