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Tissue Engineering the Aortic Valve Spongiosa Using Matrigel‐Cell‐Scaffold‐Composites (MCSCs)
Author(s) -
Eldred Jordan Rachel,
Rogers Kem,
Boughner Derek
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.903.6
Subject(s) - decorin , matrigel , extracellular matrix , biomedical engineering , chemistry , matrix (chemical analysis) , glycosaminoglycan , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , anatomy , biophysics , cell , medicine , biology , proteoglycan , composite material , biochemistry
The middle layer of the aortic valve, termed the spongiosa, consists mainly of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Its function is to serve as a shock absorber and resist compression forces between the two outer layers of the valve, and is therefore a necessary component of the bioengineered valve. MCSCs were created by seeding radial artery cells (RACs; 2×10 6 /ml) mixed with endothelial growth media and Matrigel onto small intestinal submucosa, and incubated at 37°C for 0, 1, 2 or 3 weeks. Composites were stained with Alcian Blue for GAGs and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the core protein decorin. Thickness of constructs and cell proliferation were quantified, and gelatin zymography was performed to test for extracellular matrix remodeling. Constructs stayed intact for a minimum of three weeks and stained positively for GAGs and decorin. As culture time increased, MCSC thickness increased. Cell density was stable across all culture times. Zymography revealed the presence of both latent and active matrix metalloproteinase 2. In summary, these composites have shown they are capable of producing GAGs, along with one of their associated core proteins, can lay down new matrix, maintain a constant rate of proliferation, and are likely to be engaging in matrix remodeling. These findings support the use of Matrigel and RACs in our bioengineering efforts. This research is funded by The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.