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Updated: May 3, 2026
Implantation of Electrospun Vascular Grafts with Optimized Structure in a Rat Model
Published on: June 27, 2018
Endothelialization of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) small caliber vascular grafts spun from different polymer
D Pfeiffer1, C Stefanitsch, K Wankhammer
1Institute of Cell Biology, Histology, and Embryology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria; Center of Biomedical Technology Department for Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria.
Abstract:
Small caliber vascular grafts represent a challenge to material scientists. In contrast to large caliber grafts, prostheses with diameter <6 mm, lead to increased hemodynamic disturbances and thrombogenic complications. Thus, endothelialization of small caliber grafts should create a compatible interface for hemodynamic processes. The purpose of our study was to compare different compositions of electrospun scaffolds with conventional ePTFE grafts with an inner diameter of 4 mm as well as different pre-coatings to create an optimized physiological interface for endothelialization. Polycaprolactone, polylactide, and polyethylenglycol (PCL/PLA and PCL/PLA/PEG) electrospun grafts and ePTFE grafts were pre-coated with blood, gelatine or fibronectin and seeded with endothelial cells from the human term placenta. Best results were obtained with fibronectin-coated PCL/PLA/PEG grafts. Here, the number of attached viable cells was 78-81% higher than on fibronectin pre-treated ePTFE grafts. Cells attached to PCL/PLA/PEG grafts appeared in physiological cobblestone morphology. Viability analysis showed a high cell viability of more than 98%. Fibronectin-coated PCL/PLA/PEG grafts may be a promising improvement to conventionally used ePTFE grafts.
