Properties of engineered vascular constructs made from collagen, fibrin, and collagen-fibrin mixtures

Vascular constructs were formed by embedding rat aortic smooth muscle cells in three-dimensional matrices of Type I collagen, fibrin, or a mixture of collagen and fibrin in a 1:1 ratio, at total matrix protein concentrations of 2 and 4 mg/ml. Morphological and mechanical properties were evaluated after 6 days in culture, and the effect of cyclic mechanical strain on collagen-fibrin mixture constructs was also studied. Constructs made with the lower protein concentration compacted to the greatest degree, and fibrin was found to enhance gel compaction. Each matrix type exhibited a characteristic stress-strain profile. Pure collagen had the highest linear modulus and pure fibrin had the lowest. The ultimate tensile stress was strongly dependent on the degree of gel compaction, and collagen-fibrin mixtures at 2mg/ml total protein content exhibited the highest values. Application of cyclic mechanical strain to collagen-fibrin mixture constructs caused a significant increase in gel compaction and a decrease in cell proliferation. The linear modulus, ultimate tensile stress and toughness of the constructs were all augmented by mechanical strain. These results demonstrate that the properties of engineered vascular tissues can be modulated by the combination of selected extracellular matrix components, and the application of mechanical stimulation.