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Published on: October 26, 2016
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Vascular Prostheses Based on Nanofibers from Aliphatic Copolyamide.
P V Popryadukhin1,2, G I Popov3, I P Dobrovolskaya4,5
1Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology
|January 2, 2016
Summary
Electrospun copolymer nanofiber tubes show promise as vascular grafts. These biocompatible materials support cell growth and demonstrate long-term patency in vivo, indicating potential for vascular repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Vascular grafts are crucial for treating cardiovascular diseases.
- Developing synthetic grafts with appropriate mechanical properties and biocompatibility remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize tubular vascular grafts using electrospun copolymer nanofibers.
- To evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility and in vivo performance of these nanofiber grafts.
Main Methods:
- Copolymer of ε-caprolactam and hexamethylendiaminadipate nanofibers were produced via electrospinning.
- Mechanical properties (strength, elongation, burst pressure) were tested.
- Cytotoxicity, mesenchymal stem cell adhesion, and proliferation were assessed in vitro.
- Grafts were implanted into rat abdominal aortas for in vivo evaluation.
Main Results:
- Nanofiber grafts exhibited significant tensile strength (6.2-7.5 MPa) and high elongation (133-299%).
- The grafts demonstrated a high burst pressure (10 kPa) and were non-cytotoxic.
- In vivo studies showed endothelialization within 30 days and no stenosis or dilatation after 14 months.
Conclusions:
- Electrospun copolymer nanofiber tubes are mechanically robust and biocompatible.
- These nanofiber grafts show excellent long-term patency and tissue integration in a large animal model.
- The developed materials hold significant potential for vascular tissue engineering applications.
