Evaluation of small-diameter vascular grafts reconstructed from decellularized aorta sheets

Following small-diameter vascular grafting, blood vessels fail to retain excellent antithrombotic function and therefore require application of antithrombogenic drugs. We have previously reported early attachment of endothelial cells to the luminal surface of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)-decellularized arteries after transplantation. In addition, the graft retained antithrombotic function by endothelialization and remained open for several weeks. To fabricate tube grafts of optimal size and shape for small-diameter vascular grafting, we evaluated decellularized porcine aorta sheets as a suitable antithrombogenic material. Porcine aortic sheets were decellularized using detergent-based or HHP methods. The HHP-, but not detergent-based-, decellularized aortic sheets were verified to be acellular, and the mechanical properties of the native aortic sheet remained intact. To fabricate vascular grafts, the decellularized aortic sheets were rolled into tubes and secured using fibrin glue bonding. After implantation into a rat carotid artery model, the tubular grafts withstood normal blood pressure, mechanical beating, and pulsatile flow. After 3 weeks, the tubular grafts remained patent and recipient cell infiltration and cell attachment were observed on the luminal surface. These results indicate that HHP-decellularized aortic sheets may be useful as an antithrombogenic material for tubular vascular grafts. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1293-1298, 2017.