title: Core-shell PVA/gelatin electrospun nanofibers promote human umbilical vein endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world. In this study, coaxial electrospinning is employed to fabricate fibers in a core-shell structure with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the core and gelatin in the shell for evaluation as a potential vascular tissue engineering construct. PVA, a synthetic polymer, provides mechanical strength to the biocompatible and weak gelatin sheath. The HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) and rSMC (rat smooth muscle cells) demonstrated a flattened morphology with multiple attachment sites on the gelatin and coaxial scaffolds, with an increase in cell spreading seen as mechanical stiffness of the scaffold increased. Additionally, HUVEC had an increase in migration on the coaxial scaffolds, which was attributed to the increase in stiffness; however, this increase in migration was not seen with the rSMC, which had the highest outward migration on the flat surfaces (tissue culture polystyrene and gelatin film). Overall, these scaffolds are appealing substrates for vascular tissue engineering applications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The worldwide burden of cardiovascular disease presents an ongoing need and opportunity for creating a variety of vascular prostheses. Fabrication of novel scaffolds and constructs for these are needed, providing strength and biological properties facilitating endothelial (EC) and smooth muscle (SMC) cell attachment, migration, and integration. Using electrospinning we formed 3D core:shell nanofibers and examined their effectiveness as substrates for EC and SMC attachment and growth, compared to a 2D (flat) substrate. We found that ECs attached and grew best on 3D core:shell fibers, whereas SMCs favored 2D gelatin surfaces. Interestingly, we found that EC attachment, migration and growth correlated and improved with increasing fiber stiffness. These materials and insights may foster novel vascular prostheses development.
authors: Biomedical Engineering Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
authors: Valerie M
authors: VM
authors: Merkle
authors: Sarver Heart Center & Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
authors: Phat L
authors: PL
authors: Tran
authors: Department of Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
authors: Marcus
authors: M
authors: Hutchinson
authors: Biomedical Engineering Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
authors: Kaitlyn R
authors: KR
authors: Ammann
authors: Biomedical Engineering Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
authors: Katrina
authors: K
authors: DeCook
authors: Biomedical Engineering Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. Electronic address: xwu@email.arizona.edu.
authors: Xiaoyi
authors: X
authors: Wu
authors: Biomedical Engineering Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Sarver Heart Center & Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. Electronic address: chairman.syns@gmail.com.
authors: Marvin J
authors: MJ
authors: Slepian
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004595:Electroplating / Q000379:methods; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005780:Gelatin; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol
keywords: Electrospinning; Gelatin; Human umbilical vein endothelial cells; Polyvinyl alcohol; Restenosis; Smooth muscle cells