Nanoarchitecture of scaffolds and endothelial cells in engineering small diameter vascular grafts

Abstract

Regeneration of functional small diameter blood vessels still remains a challenge, as the synthetic vascular grafts fail to mimic the complex structural architecture and dynamic functions of blood vessels and also lack with the lack of non-thrombogenicity. Although, the existence of nanofibrous extracellular matrix components in the native tissue promotes many physical and molecular signals to the endothelial cells for the regulation of morphogenesis, homeostasis, and cellular functions in vascular tissue, poor understanding of the structural architecture on the functional activation of appropriate genes limits the development of successful vascular graft design. Hence, the present review outlines the functional contributions of various nanofibrous extracellular matrix components in native blood vessels. Further, the review focuses on the role of nanofiber topography of biomaterial scaffolds in endothelial cell fate processes such as adhesion, proliferation, migration, and infiltration with the expression of vasculature specific genes; thereby allowing the reader to envisage the communication between the nano-architecture of scaffolds and endothelial cells in engineering small diameter vascular grafts.

Conjugation with RGD Peptides and Incorporation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Are Equally Efficient for Biofunctionalization of Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts

“…Many types of natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers have been investigated and used to prepare tubular grafts for in situ vascular tissue engineering [7]. Natural polymers display excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability with non-toxic end products; however, they are highly immunogenic, have poor processability, and their mechanical properties are commonly insufficient for artificial vascular grafts [7,10,11]. On the other hand, synthetic polymers usually have low immunogenicity, excellent mechanical properties, and processability, but lack biocompatibility (e.g., cell recognition sites) [7].…”

“…On the other hand, synthetic polymers usually have low immunogenicity, excellent mechanical properties, and processability, but lack biocompatibility (e.g., cell recognition sites) [7]. To overcome these problems, we applied polymer blending, a widely established approach, to prepare a desirable bio-composite for the tissue-engineered vascular graft [5,7,10]. …”

“…Furthermore, bioactive peptides can be immobilized onto material surfaces by either physical absorption or chemical reactions [7]. Incorporation of growth factors into polymer scaffolds during electrospinning is another popular strategy to promote cell adhesion and infiltration of the vascular grafts [7,10,11,17]. …”

Engineering Cardiovascular Implant Surfaces to Create a Vascular Endothelial Growth Microenvironment

“…Nevertheless, the in vitro cultured ECs with cobblestone appearances show deficiency on their ECM secretion compared to in vivo natural ECs with spindle appearances, and the later maintain their exposure to the physiological BFSS, which influence is able to simulate by the surface micro‐pattern with appropriate scales . The existence of nano‐fibrous ECM components in the native tissue promotes many physical and molecular signals to the ECs for the regulation of morphogenesis, homeostasis, and cellular functions in vascular tissue . Li et al designed a biomimetic ECM produced by hyaluronic acid micro‐patterned ECs, which endowed the surface better biocompatibility …”

Fabrication of Small Caliber Stent-grafts Using Electrospinning and Balloon Expandable Bare Metal Stents

“…Electrospinning of PU to create nanofiber matrix has been shown to be a valuable technique for the production of vascular grafts 18,19 . The existence of nanofibers that mimic the architecture of native extracellular matrix is also known to promote endothelial cell proliferation 20,21 . Electrospinning also allows for control over the thickness of the material 22 .…”