A tissue-engineered aneurysm model for evaluation of endovascular devices

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Vascular Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Preclinical evaluation of endovascular stent grafts for arterial aneurysms is crucial for safety and efficacy.
• Current in vitro models lack a biological component, limiting high-throughput and cost-effective assessments.
• An in vitro aneurysmal blood vessel equivalent is needed for advanced device testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a tissue-engineered in vitro model of an arterial aneurysm using human vascular cells.
• To create a biologically relevant scaffold for evaluating endovascular devices.
• To establish a cost-effective and high-throughput preclinical testing platform.

Main Methods:

• Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular grafts were dilated to create aneurysmal scaffolds.
• Stromal vascular fraction cells from human adipose tissue were seeded onto the scaffolds.
• Vascular constructs were cultured in a bioreactor with luminal flow for 14 days.

Main Results:

• Histology confirmed the formation of a neointimal lining of human tissue.
• Immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy revealed a smooth muscle cell layer in contact with flow.
• The model successfully represented neointimal formation in a vascular construct with an aneurysmal dilation.

Conclusions:

• A functional tissue-engineered aneurysm model was successfully developed.
• This model serves as a biologically relevant in vitro alternative to nonbiological systems.
• The engineered aneurysm model can facilitate the progression of new endovascular devices towards in vivo studies.