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Human fibroblast-derived ECM as a scaffold for vascular tissue engineering
Jean-Michel Bourget1, Robert Gauvin, Danielle Larouche
1LOEX-Centre de Recherche FRQS du Centre Hospitalier Affilié Universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
Biomaterials
|October 4, 2012
Summary
A new method uses decellularized scaffolds to create tissue-engineered vascular media (TEVM) faster. This approach improves TEVM mechanical and functional properties, enabling broader patient cell use for vascular repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Mesenchymal cells naturally create extracellular matrix (ECM) for tissue engineering.
- Current methods for vascular media fabrication using smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are time-consuming.
- A need exists to accelerate tissue-engineered vascular media (TEVM) production and broaden patient cell applicability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reduce the production time for TEVM.
- To enhance the mechanical and functional properties of TEVM.
- To enable TEVM production using SMCs from a wider patient population.
Main Methods:
- Developed a decellularized matrix scaffold (dMS) from dermal or saphenous vein fibroblasts.
- Seeded SMCs onto the dMS to create a novel TEVM (nTEVM).
- Compared mechanical and contractile properties of nTEVM against standard self-assembled TEVM (sTEVM).
Main Results:
- Reduced TEVM production time from 6 to 4 weeks.
- Demonstrated increased tensile strength in nTEVM compared to sTEVM.
- Showed improved vascular reactivity in nTEVM.
Conclusions:
- The dMS approach accelerates TEVM fabrication while enhancing its properties.
- This technique allows for the use of SMCs from diverse patients, irrespective of their ECM synthesis capacity.
- The developed scaffolds offer a storable solution for rapid vascular substitute production with autologous cells.
