Development of decellularized human umbilical arteries as small-diameter vascular grafts.
OBJECTIVE
Developing a tissue-engineered small-diameter (<6mm) vascular graft for reconstructive surgery has remained a challenge for the past several decades. This study was conducted to develop a decellularized umbilical artery and to evaluate its composition, endothelial cell compatibility, mechanical properties, and in vivo stability for potential use as a small-diameter vascular graft.


RESULTS
Human umbilical arteries were isolated and decellularized by incubation in CHAPS and sodium dodecyl sulfate buffers followed by incubation in endothelial growth media-2. Decellularized umbilical arteries were completely devoid of cellular and nuclear material while retaining the integrity of extracellular collagenous matrix. The mechanical strength of the decellularized umbilical artery as assessed by its burst pressure in vitro showed no significant change from its native form. Decellularized umbilical arteries supported endothelial adherence as indicated by the re-endotheliazation with a monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Furthermore, decellularized vessels that were implanted into nude rats as abdominal aorta interposition grafts remained mechanically intact and patent for up to 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Decellularized human umbilical arteries preserved the extracellular matrix, supported endothelialization, and retained function in vivo for up to 8 weeks. These properties suggest the potential use of decellularized umbilical arteries as small-diameter vascular grafts.
Gui
Liqiong
L
Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8051, USA.
Muto
Akihito
A
Chan
Stephen A
SA
Breuer
Christopher K
CK
Niklason
Laura E
LE
D000818:Animals; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats; D011923:Rats, Nude; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation
D024141:Collagen Type IV; D004247:DNA