title: Biological and engineering design considerations for vascular tissue engineered blood vessels (TEBVs).
abstract: Considerable advances have occurred in the development of tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) to repair or replace injured blood vessels, or asin vitrosystems for drug toxicity testing. Here we summarize approaches to produce TEBVs and review current efforts to (1) identify suitable cell sources for the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells, (2) design the scaffold to mimic the arterial mechanical properties and (3) regulate the functional state of the cells of the vessel wall. Initial clinical studies have established the feasibility of this approach and challenges that make TEBVs a viable alternative for vessel replacement are identified.
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University.
authors: Cristina E
authors: CE
authors: Fernandez
authors: Departments of Surgery and Pathology, Duke University Medical Center.
authors: Hardean E
authors: HE
authors: Achneck
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University.
authors: William M
authors: WM
authors: Reichert
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University.
authors: George A
authors: GA
authors: Truskey
keywords: clinical studies; engineered blood vessels; smooth muscle cells; vascular endothelium