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Generation and Grafting of Tissue-engineered Vessels in a Mouse Model
Published on: March 18, 2015
Preparation of decellularized and crosslinked artery patch for vascular tissue-engineering application.
Yilin Zhao1, Zhigang Zhang, Jinling Wang
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine
|April 30, 2011
Summary
Developing tissue-engineering (TE) vascular scaffolds using enzymatic decellularization and low glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinking offers a fast, simple method. The optimized scaffold shows promising biocompatibility and mechanical strength for clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Urgent clinical need for effective tissue-engineering (TE) vascular grafts.
- Existing methods for scaffold production can be complex and time-consuming.
- Development of a rapid and straightforward TE vascular scaffold fabrication process is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fast and simple method for producing TE vascular scaffolds.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and degradation of the developed scaffolds.
- To assess the suitability of the optimized scaffold for clinical TE vascular graft applications.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic decellularization using pepsin, DNase, and RNase.
- Crosslinking of decellularized scaffolds with varying concentrations of glutaraldehyde (0.1%, 1%, 5%).
- Comprehensive analysis including burst pressure, suture strength, cytotoxicity, in vitro/in vivo degradation, rehydration, biocompatibility (H&E, SEM, IHC), macrophage infiltration, and calcification (Von Kossa staining).
Main Results:
- Decellularized scaffolds exhibited complete cellular component removal with intact collagen structure.
- Scaffolds demonstrated mechanical properties (burst pressure, suture strength) comparable to native arteries.
- The 0.1% glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinked scaffold showed significantly lower cytotoxicity and resistance to enzymatic degradation compared to higher GA concentrations.
- In vivo implantation of the 0.1% GA scaffold resulted in resistance to degradation, formation of essential vascular layers (endothelium, smooth muscle, adventitia), and minimal macrophage infiltration, although calcification was observed.
Conclusions:
- Enzymatic decellularization combined with 0.1% GA crosslinking provides an efficient method for producing TE vascular scaffolds.
- The optimized scaffold possesses favorable mechanical and biocompatibility profiles for potential clinical use.
- Further investigation into mitigating calcification is warranted for long-term clinical success in TE vascular graft applications.
