title: Hybrid elastin-like recombinamer-fibrin gels: physical characterization and in vitro evaluation for cardiovascular tissue engineering applications.
abstract: In the field of tissue engineering, the properties of the scaffolds are of crucial importance for the success of the application. Hybrid materials combine the properties of the different components that constitute them. In this study hybrid gels of Elastin-Like Recombinamer (ELR) and fibrin were prepared with a range of polymer concentrations and ELR-to-fibrin ratios. The correlation between SEM micrographs, porosities, swelling ratios and rheological properties was discussed and a poroelastic mechanism was suggested to explain the mechanical behavior of the hybrid gels. Applicability as scaffold materials for cardiovascular tissue engineering was shown by the realization of cell-laden matrixes which supported the synthesis of collagens as revealed by immunohistochemical analysis. As a proof of concept, a tissue-engineered heart valve was fabricated by injection moulding and cultivated in a bioreactor for 3 weeks under dynamic conditions. Tissue analysis revealed the production of collagen I and III, fundamental proteins for cardiovascular constructs.
authors.affiliation: BIOFORGE, CIBER-BBN, Campus "Miguel Delibes" Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo Belén 19, 47011, Valladolid, Spain and TECHNICAL PROTEINS NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY S.L., Campus "Miguel Delibes" Edificio CTTA, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo Belén 9A, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gonzalez de Torre
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering and Textile Implants, AME, Helmholtz Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: BIOFORGE, CIBER-BBN, Campus "Miguel Delibes" Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo Belén 19, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Quintanilla
authors.affiliation: BIOFORGE, CIBER-BBN, Campus "Miguel Delibes" Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo Belén 19, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering and Textile Implants, AME, Helmholtz Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jockenhoevel
authors.affiliation: BIOFORGE, CIBER-BBN, Campus "Miguel Delibes" Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo Belén 19, 47011, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Cabello
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering and Textile Implants, AME, Helmholtz Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mela
mesh_terms: D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005337:Fibrin / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D005337:Fibrin; D004549:Elastin