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Updated: May 9, 2026
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Implantation of Electrospun Vascular Grafts with Optimized Structure in a Rat Model
Published on: June 27, 2018
Effects of electrospun nanostructure versus microstructure on human aortic endothelial cell behavior
Afra Hadjizadeh1, Abdellah Ajji, Mario Jolicoeur
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, C.P. 6079, succ. Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada.
Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology
|August 6, 2013
Summary
Electrospun polyethylene terephthalate mats with varying fiber diameters and orientations support Human Aortic Endothelial Cell growth. Larger fiber diameters promote faster cell growth and deeper penetration, suggesting potential for vascular graft scaffolds.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Vascular graft development requires scaffolds that mimic native tissue properties.
- Endothelial cell behavior is crucial for graft integration and function.
- Electrospun polymer mats offer tunable properties for tissue engineering applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of fiber diameter, orientation, and surface treatment of electrospun polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mats on Human Aortic Endothelial Cell (HAEC) behavior.
- To assess the suitability of these mats for vascular graft scaffold applications.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of PET mats with controlled fiber diameters (740 nm and 1.8 µm) and orientations (low and high).
- NaOH surface treatment to modify mat properties.
- AlamarBlue assay for cell viability and proliferation.
- Fluorescent staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for cell morphology and adhesion.
- Histological analysis for cell penetration.
Main Results:
- All tested PET mats supported HAEC adhesion and growth.
- Cell growth was significantly faster on mats with larger fiber diameters (1.8 µm) compared to smaller ones (740 nm).
- Cell morphology and orientation were influenced by fiber diameter and alignment; cells aligned with larger fibers and highly aligned mats.
- Cells penetrated mats with larger fiber diameters but remained on the surface of mats with smaller fiber diameters.
Conclusions:
- Fiber diameter and orientation of electrospun PET mats significantly influence HAEC behavior, including growth rate, morphology, and penetration.
- PET mats with distinct fiber characteristics show promise for constructing layered vascular graft scaffolds.
- A two-layer scaffold, with small-diameter fibers internally and large-diameter fibers externally, is proposed for enhanced vascular graft performance.
