title: Long-term results of cell-free biodegradable scaffolds for in situ tissue engineering of pulmonary artery in a canine model.
abstract: We previously developed a cell-free, biodegradable scaffold for in-situ tissue-engineering vasculature (iTEV) in a canine inferior vena cava (IVC) model. In this study, we investigated application of this scaffold for iTEV of the pulmonary artery (iTEV-PA) in a canine model. In vivo experiments were conducted to determine scaffold characteristics and long-term efficacy. Biodegradable scaffolds comprised polyglycolide knitted fibers and an l-lactide and ε-caprolactone copolymer sponge, with an outer glycolide and ε-caprolactone copolymer monofilament reinforcement. Tubular scaffolds (8 mm diameter) were implanted into the left pulmonary artery of experimental animals (n = 7) and evaluated up to 12 months postoperatively. Angiography of iTEV-PA after 12 months showed a well-formed vasculature without marked stenosis, aneurysmal change or thrombosis of iTEV-PA. Histological analysis revealed a vessel-like vasculature without calcification. However, vascular smooth muscle cells were not well-developed 12 months post-implantation. Biochemical analyses showed no significant difference in hydroxyproline and elastin content compared with native PA. Our long-term results of cell-free tissue-engineering of PAs have revealed the acceptable qualities and characteristics of iTEV-PAs. The strategy of using this cell-free biodegradable scaffold to create relatively small PAs could be applicable in pediatric cardiovascular surgery requiring materials.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery, The Heart Institute of Japan, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan. n4mb4a@gmail.com
authors.forename: Goki
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matsumura
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Isayama
authors.forename: Shojiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taki
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikada
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*