Biomimicking polysaccharide nanofibers promote vascular phenotypes: a potential application for vascular tissue engineering.
The potential of electrospun pullulan/dextran (P/D) nanofibers (average diameter = 323 nm) for vascular tissue engineering applications is explored. The mechanical properties of the nanofibers are of the same order of magnitude as that of human arteries (Young's modulus ≈0.88 MPa; tensile strength ≈0.35 MPa). It is demonstrated that the nanofiber topography enables cell adhesion and that the endothelial phenotype is maintained on the nanofibers. Moreover, P/D nanofibers support a stable confluent monolayer of endothelial cells over 14 d. SMCs seeded on nanofibers display similar levels of alpha smooth muscle actin and a lower proliferation rate than cells on 2D cultures. The observations suggest that nanofibers promote a shift to a quiescent contractile phenotype in SMCs.
School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637459, Singapore.
Liya
L
Shi
Rachida
R
Aid
Catherine
C
Le Visage
Sing Yian
SY
Chew
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D001158:Arteries; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003911:Dextrans / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005936:Glucans / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D000199:Actins; D015415:Biomarkers; D003911:Dextrans; D005936:Glucans; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C009109:pullulan