Improved endothelial cell attachment on ePTFE vascular grafts pretreated with synthetic RGD-containing peptides.
OBJECTIVE
To assess endothelial cell (EC) attachment in seeding of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular prostheses by application of a new technique of coupling synthetic RGD-containing peptides with the graft surface.


METHODS
Prospective, open study.


METHODS
University Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and Institute of Biochemistry.


METHODS
ePTFE vascular grafts (group 1) uncoated (group 2) coated with fibronectin (group 3) coated with a RGD-containing peptide or (group 4) coated in a similar way to group 3 but without application of a RGD-peptide, were incubated for 30 min with adult human saphenous vein endothelial cells. After seeding, grafts were exposed to shear stress in an artificial flow circuit. EC attachment after seeding and retention after perfusion was assessed by scanning electron microscopy and image analysis.


RESULTS
Both EC attachment and retention were significantly increased by coating with fibronectin in comparison to uncoated ePTFE. Graft coating with an RGD-peptide lead to the highest increase in EC attachment (30.6% +/- 2.1%) and retention after shear stress (62.9% +/- 7.5%) compared to fibronectin coated (26.0% +/- 3.3%/45.5% +/- 2.1%), uncoated (14.9% +/- 3.1%/13.9% +/- 7.9%) and similar coated ePTFE grafts without application of a RGD-peptide (10.5% +/- 1.1%/6.6% +/- 1.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
EC attachment on uncoated ePTFE vascular prostheses is very weak. Our technique of coupling the ePTFE graft surface with cell adhesion promoting RGD-containing synthetic peptides significantly improved this decisive step in endothelial cell seeding of ePTFE grafts.
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Kiel, Germany.
K P
KP
Walluscheck
G
G
Steinhoff
S
S
Kelm
A
A
Haverich
D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005976:Glutaral / Q000494:pharmacology; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012501:Saphenous Vein; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
D005353:Fibronectins; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D011107:Polylysine; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D005976:Glutaral