title: Production of Human Endothelial Cells Free from Soluble Xenogeneic Antigens for Bioartificial Small Diameter Vascular Graft Endothelization.
abstract: Arterial bypass graft implantation remains the primary therapy for patients with advanced cardiovascular disease, but most lack adequate saphenous vein or other conduits for bypass procedures and would benefit from a bioartificial conduit. This study aimed to produce human endothelial cells (hECs) in large scale, free from xenogeneic antigens, to develop a small diameter, compatible vessel for potential use as a vascular graft. Human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) were isolated, cultured, and differentiated in the presence of human serum and used for the reendothelization of a decellularized rat aorta. hASC derived ECs (hASC-ECs) expressed VEGFR2, vWf and CD31 endothelial cell markers, the latter in higher levels than hASCs and HUVECs, and were shown to be functional. Decellularization protocol yielded aortas devoid of cell nuclei, with preserved structure, including a preserved basement membrane. When seeded with hASC-ECs, the decellularized aorta was completely reendothelized, and the hASC-ECs maintained their phenotype in this new condition. hASCs can be differentiated into functional hECs without the use of animal supplements and are capable of reendothelizing a decellularized rat aorta while maintaining their phenotype. The preservation of the basement membrane following decellularization supported the complete reendothelization of the scaffold with no cell migration towards other layers. This approach is potentially useful for rapid obtention of compatible, xenogeneic-free conduit.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Lott
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zonari
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cláudia Chagas
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thaís Maria da Mata
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dawidson Assis
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alfredo Miranda
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Goes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015478:Antigens, Heterophile / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D001011:Aorta / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051381:Rats; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D019737:Transplants
chemical_list: D015478:Antigens, Heterophile