Tissue-engineered vessel derived from human fibroblasts with an electrospun scaffold

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Cardiovascular Surgery

Background:

• Advanced cardiovascular disease necessitates surgical revascularization for small diameter arterial bypasses.
• A shortage of autologous vein grafts limits treatment options for some patients.
• There is a need for alternative vascular grafts with suitable in vivo remodeling capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a decellularized tissue-engineered vessel using biodegradable electrospun scaffolds and human dermal fibroblasts.
• To evaluate the morphological and mechanical properties of the engineered vessel before and after decellularization.
• To assess the biocompatibility of the decellularized graft for potential vascular applications.

Main Methods:

• A biodegradable polyglycolic acid electrospun scaffold was fabricated with polyethylene oxide microparticles for enhanced porosity.
• Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured within the scaffold in a biomimetic perfusion system for 10 weeks.
• The resulting tissue-engineered vessel underwent decellularization to create an allogeneic graft.
• Histological staining, mechanical testing, and cell seeding assays were performed.

Main Results:

• The tissue-engineered vessel exhibited similar collagen and elastin morphology before and after decellularization.
• Mechanical properties, including burst pressure and tensile strength, remained stable post-decellularization, comparable to human saphenous veins.
• Decellularization effectively removed DNA and intracellular proteins without compromising collagen content.
• The decellularized graft supported endothelial cell adhesion and fibroblast infiltration.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable electrospun scaffolds are versatile for creating decellularized tissue-engineered vessels from human dermal fibroblasts.
• The engineered vessel possesses suitable morphological and mechanical characteristics for small diameter vascular graft applications.
• This approach offers a promising alternative to current bypass grafts for patients lacking autologous vein options.