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Fibronectin binding to gelatin-impregnated Dacron (Gelseal) prostheses
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary and Medical School, England, U.K.
Artificial Organs
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Fibronectin coating improves endothelial cell adherence to Gelseal vascular grafts. However, initial high flow rates can cause significant fibronectin loss, impacting graft suitability for cell seeding.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Vascular Surgery
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endothelial cell adherence to gelatin-impregnated Dacron (Gelseal) is critical for vascular graft success.
- Precoating Gelseal with basement membranes like fibronectin can enhance cell attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate fibronectin binding to Gelseal.
- To investigate fibronectin dissociation kinetics from Gelseal.
- To assess the suitability of fibronectin-coated Gelseal for endothelial cell seeding.
Main Methods:
- Radiolabeling human fibronectin with iodine-125.
- Coating Gelseal with varying fibronectin concentrations (10-250 µg/ml) for different incubation times (30-90 min).
- Quantifying fibronectin binding and calculating molecular density per graft surface area.
- Assessing fibronectin dissociation under pulsatile flow conditions (200 ml/min) for up to 2 hours.
Main Results:
- Fibronectin binding increased proportionally with concentration and incubation time (p < 0.05).
- Percentage of fibronectin attachment decreased with increasing concentration (p < 0.001).
- Significant fibronectin loss (75%) occurred within the first 30 minutes of high flow, with stability achieved thereafter for up to 2 hours.
Conclusions:
- Fibronectin coating enhances Gelseal's potential for endothelial cell seeding.
- Initial high flow rates pose a challenge due to rapid fibronectin dissociation.
- Further optimization of fibronectin coating or graft design may be needed for robust cell seeding in vascular grafts.