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Tubular nanofiber scaffolds for tissue engineered small‐diameter vascular grafts
Author(s) -
He Wei,
Ma Zuwei,
Teo Wee Eong,
Dong Yi Xiang,
Robless Peter Ashley,
Lim Thiam Chye,
Ramakrishna Seeram
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.32081
Subject(s) - materials science , nanofiber , biomedical engineering , lumen (anatomy) , scaffold , tissue engineering , vascular graft , electrospinning , nanotechnology , composite material , surgery , medicine , polymer
Quick establishment of a confluent and stable endothelial cells (ECs) layer in the lumen of vascular grafts is critical for long‐term patency of small‐diameter vascular grafts. The objective of the study was to fabricate tubular nanofiber scaffolds, incorporate ECs onto the lumen of the scaffolds, and establish an animal model to prove the basic concept of using the scaffolds as vascular grafts. Poly( L ‐lactic acid)‐ co ‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) P(LLA‐CL 70:30) tubular nanofiber scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning onto a rotating mandrel. Collagen was coated onto the scaffolds after air plasma treatment. Structure and mechanical property of the scaffolds were studied by scanning electron microscopy and tensile stress measurement, respectively. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were rotationally seeded onto the lumen of the scaffolds at the speed of 6 rpm for 4 h through a customized seeding device, followed with static culture. Results showed evenly distributed and well‐spread HCAECs throughout the lumen of the scaffold from 1 day onward to 10 days after seeding. Further, HCAECs maintained phenotypic expression of PECAM‐1. To prove the basic concept of using the scaffolds as vascular grafts, acellular tubular P(LLA‐CL) nanofiber scaffolds (inner diameter 1 mm) were implanted into rabbits to replace the inferior superficial epigastric veins. Results showed the scaffolds sustained the surgical process, kept the structure integrity, and showed the patency for 7 weeks. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009