Controlled fabrication of a biological vascular substitute.
Autologous and synthetic vessel grafts have been used as a vascular substitute for cardiovascular bypass procedures. However, these materials are limited by the availability of appropriate caliber autologous vessels, increased susceptibility to thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia following surgery. Electrospinning technology offers the potential for controlling composition, structure and mechanical properties of biomaterials. Vascular graft scaffolds have been fabricated using electrospun polymer blends of Type I collagen, elastin from ligamentum nuchae, and poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide). This study demonstrates improved electrospinning characteristics versus previous studies by increasing polymer concentration and adding PLGA to the polymer blend. Additionally, new in vitro biocompatibility and mechanical testing data is presented. The scaffolds possess tissue composition and mechanical properties similar to native vessels. The electrospun vessel matrix is biocompatible and does not elicit local or systemic toxic effects when implanted in vivo. This study demonstrates the promise of electrospinning as a fabrication process for a functional vascular graft for clinical use.
Stitzel
Joel
J
Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Wake Forest University, USA. jstitzel@wfubmc.edu
Liu
Jie
J
Lee
Sang Jin
SJ
Komura
Makoto
M
Berry
Joel
J
Soker
Shay
S
Lim
Grace
G
Van Dyke
Mark
M
Czerw
Richard
R
Yoo
James J
JJ
Atala
Anthony
A
D000818:Animals; D021522:Bioartificial Organs; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002417:Cattle; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006016:Glycolates / Q000737:chemistry*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008422:Materials Testing; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D033081:Shear Strength; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006016:Glycolates; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin