Endothelial cell seeding of de-endothelialised human arteries: improvement by adhesion molecule induction and flow-seeding technology.
OBJECTIVE
To assess re-endothelialisation of denuded human arteries by two different seeding techniques using adhesion molecule induction and a dynamic flow-seeding.


METHODS
Prospective, open study.


METHODS
University Department of Cardiovascular Surgery.


METHODS
In the first group (I) segments of human common carotid arteries (n = 4) were balloon-denuded, short-time seeded with cultured adult human venous endothelial cells (EC) and exposed to a mock circulation. In the second group (II) (n = 4), EC were incubated with a synthetic RGD peptide (arginine-glycine-aspartate) prior to seeding with the aim of upregulating the cellular adhesion molecules and increasing EC attachment. In the third group (III) (n = 4), EC were seeded not using the common technique of instillating cells and sequentially rotating the graft but by a dynamic flow application. The percentage of EC-covered luminal surface was assessed by image analysis of scanning electron micrographs.


RESULTS
EC attachment was significantly increased in groups II (73%) and III (94%) compared with group I (34%). In group III, a preconfluent monolayer could be established immediately after seeding. One hour of artificial perfusion resulted in no significant EC loss in any of the study groups.


CONCLUSIONS
RGD-peptide preincubation improves EC seeding of biological surfaces. Because of accelerated seeding times it may have good potential for clinical applications. The flow-seeding technology may be indispensable if EC seeding of the vascular surface of complete organ systems is required.
Walluscheck
K P
KP
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Kiel, Germany.
Steinhoff
G
G
Haverich
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001775:Blood Circulation; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D002404:Catheterization; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012212:Rheology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D009842:Oligopeptides; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid