title: In Vivo Application of Tissue-Engineered Veins Using Autologous Peripheral Whole Blood: A Proof of Concept Study.
abstract: Vascular diseases are increasing health problems affecting > 25 million individuals in westernized societies. Such patients could benefit from transplantation of tissue-engineered vascular grafts using autologous cells. One challenge that has limited this development is the need for cell isolation, and risks associated with ex vivo expanded stem cells. Here we demonstrate a novel approach to generate transplantable vascular grafts using decellularized allogeneic vascular scaffolds, repopulated with peripheral whole blood (PWB) in vitro in a bioreactor. Circulating, VEGFR-2 +/CD45 + and a smaller fraction of VEGFR-2 +/CD14 + cells contributed to repopulation of the graft. SEM micrographs showed flat cells on the luminal surface of the grafts consistent with endothelial cells. For clinical validation, two autologous PWB tissue-engineered vein conduits were prepared and successfully used for by-pass procedures in two pediatric patients. These results provide a proof of principle for the generation of transplantable vascular grafts using a simple autologous blood sample, making it clinically feasible globally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olausson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Vijay Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Kuna
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Galyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Travnikova
authors.affiliation: SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Dept. of Chemistry, Materials and Surfaces, SE-50462 Borås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bäckdahl
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Pradeep B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saalman
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jeppsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Suchitra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sumitran-Holgersson
keywords: Endothelial precursors; Tissue-engineering; Vascular diseases; Vein conduits