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Initial investigation of novel human‐like collagen/chitosan scaffold for vascular tissue engineering
Author(s) -
Zhu Chenhui,
Fan Daidi,
Duan Zhiguang,
Xue Wenjiao,
Shang Longan,
Chen Fulin,
Luo Yane
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.32256
Subject(s) - biocompatibility , materials science , scaffold , biomedical engineering , chitosan , tissue engineering , extracellular matrix , biomaterial , scanning electron microscope , cell adhesion , adhesion , nanotechnology , composite material , chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , metallurgy
With the increasing occurrence of vascular diseases and poor long‐term patency rates of current small diameter vascular grafts, it becomes urgent to pursuit biomaterial as scaffold to mimic blood vessel morphologically and mechanically. In this study, novel human‐like collagen (HLC, produced by recombinant E. coli )/chitosan tubular scaffolds were fabricated by cross‐linking and freeze‐drying process. The scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and tensile test, respectively. Human venous fibroblasts were expanded and seeded onto the scaffolds in the density of 1 × 10 5 cells/cm 2 . After a 15‐day culture under static conditions, the cell–polymer constructs were observed using SEM, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), histological examination, and biochemical assays for cell proliferation and extracellular matrix production (collagen and glycosaminoglycans). Furthermore, the scaffolds were implanted into rabbits' livers to evaluate their biocompatibility. The results indicated that HLC/chitosan tubular scaffolds (1) exhibited interconnected porous structure; (2) achieved the desirable levels of pliability (elastic up to 30% strain) and stress of 300 ± 16 kPa; (3) were capable of enhancing cell adhesion and proliferation and ECM secretion; (4) showed superior biocompatibility. This study suggested the feasibility of HLC/chitosan composite as a promising candidate scaffold for blood vessel tissue engineering. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2009