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Engineering Biological-Based Vascular Grafts Using a Pulsatile Bioreactor
Published on: June 14, 2011
Bio-composites reinforced with unique coral collagen fibers: Towards biomimetic-based small diameter vascular grafts
Shir Wertheimer1, Mirit Sharabi2, Ortal Shelah1
1The Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
Insights
This study developed a novel biocomposite graft using coral-derived collagen fibers for tissue-engineered small blood vessels. The graft shows promising mechanical and biological compatibility for cardiovascular disease applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading global cause of death, with coronary artery disease (CAD) accounting for a significant portion.
- Current synthetic grafts fail in small-diameter blood vessel replacements, necessitating advanced tissue-engineered solutions.
- Autologous vessels are used but have limitations, highlighting the need for innovative biomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel biocomposite material for tissue-engineered small-diameter blood vessel grafts.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the new graft material.
- To investigate the potential of coral-derived collagen for cardiovascular applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of biocomposite grafts using cm-scale collagen fibers from soft corals embedded in an alginate hydrogel matrix.
- Mechanical testing of grafts using a custom experimental setup applying internal pressures (0-300 mmHg).
- Numerical finite element simulation to model the mechanical response and biocompatibility assessment through fibroblast cell culture.
Main Results:
- The biocomposite tubes exhibited mechanical compliance (4.88 ± 0.99%/100 mmHg) comparable to native coronary arteries within a physiological pressure range (80-120 mmHg).
- Finite element simulations accurately predicted the measured pressure-strain response of the graft.
- Fibroblast cells demonstrated proliferation and aligned configuration with collagen fibers over 32 days, indicating good biocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- A novel biocomposite graft material utilizing coral-derived collagen fibers has been successfully developed.
- The graft demonstrates favorable mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility, suitable for small-diameter blood vessel replacement.
- This coral-based biocomposite represents a promising advancement in tissue-engineered vascular grafts for cardiovascular applications.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Approximately 31% of all global deaths are caused by CVDs, of which 42% are attributable to coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is characterized by a narrowing of arteries that restricts the normal blood flow. Over time, surgical intervention is required in severe cases of occlusions and includes implantation of autologous vessels. Today synthetic grafts are used successfully as replacements for blood vessels with a diameter larger than 6 mm. However, they often fail as small-diameter blood vessel replacements. This study introduces a new biocomposite material system consisting of unique and long (cm-scale) collagen fibers derived from soft corals embedded within an alginate hydrogel matrix. The new biocomposite layers were used to fabricate grafts, towards developing a new class of tissue-engineered small-diameter blood vessels. These constructs consisted of both circumferentially and longitudinally oriented collagen fibers. The mechanical properties of the grafts were investigated via a new experimental setup constructed in our lab for this purpose, which applied internal pressure levels of 0-300 mmHg. Similar to native coronary arteries, the biocomposite tubes demonstrated a compliance of 4.88 ± 0.99%/100 mmHg for a physiologic pressure range of 80-120 mmHg. Furthermore, a numerical finite element simulation model is proposed to generate the overall mechanical response of the construct. It is composed of axial and circumferential fibers embedded within the continuum alginate elements. Good prediction is demonstrated when compared with the measured pressure-strain response. Moreover, we examined biocompatibility and cell growth on the collagen fibers. Fibroblast cells proliferated during the experiment that lasted for 32 days and showed aligned configuration with the collagen fiber orientation. The novelty of this study is manifested in the use of naturally derived coral-based long collagen fibers for the development of a new class of tissue-engineered grafts. The proposed novel biocomposite graft demonstrated both mechanical and biological compatibility and can be further developed for small-diameter blood-vessel replacement.
