Seeding of intracoronary stents with immortalized human microvascular endothelial cells.
Intracoronary stents are effective in decreasing the complications associated with acute closure during coronary angioplasty. A major complication associated with the use of coronary stents is acute thrombotic occlusion. It has been postulated that the stent loses its thrombogenic potential after it becomes covered with a layer of endothelial cells. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells were transfected with a plasmid containing the simian virus 40 large T-antigen gene. Stents were placed in culture media with cells for 2 weeks. Seeding efficiency of the stent with the endothelial cells was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Balloon-expandable coronary stents placed in cell culture with immortalized human microvascular endothelial cells showed near-complete coverage after 2 weeks. After balloon inflation, persistence of cells on the stent was noted only on the lateral aspect of the balloon-expanded stents. If these stents were placed in culture, complete recovery of the monolayer was noted after 3 days. Stents were then covered with endothelial cells and frozen for 4 days. After thawing, the cells adhered to the devices and divided to form a monolayer in tissue culture. Seeded balloon-expandable stents were frozen for 4 months, thawed, and then implanted in a pig coronary artery. Human endothelial cells were identified on the stent 4 hours after deployment. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of using a human microvascular endothelial cell line to seed an uncoated metal stent. The cells remain adherent to the stent, are functional after freezing, and remain on the stent at least 3 hours after intracoronary implantation.
Scott
N A
NA
Andreas Gruentzig Cardiovascular Center, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Candal
F J
FJ
Robinson
K A
KA
Ades
E W
EW
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005615:Freezing; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015607:Stents; D013499:Surface Properties; D013552:Swine; D013635:Tantalum; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006680:HLA Antigens; D013635:Tantalum