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Dynamic flow priming programs allow tuning up the cell layers properties for engineered vascular graft
Kazutomo Baba1, Andrey Mikhailov2, Yoshiyuki Sankai2,3
1Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8573, Japan. baba@golem.iit.tsukuba.ac.jp.
Scientific Reports
|July 20, 2021
Summary
Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVG) offer a promising solution for small diameter blood vessel replacement. Bioreactor training enhances TEVG mechanical properties and promotes desired cell layer formation for improved reconstructive surgery outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Small diameter blood vessel replacement is crucial for reconstructive surgery.
- Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVG) present an alternative to traditional grafts, avoiding ethical and epidemiological concerns.
- Current TEVG require optimization for mechanical strength and physiological resemblance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for creating three-layered TEVG on biocompatible glass fiber scaffolds.
- To investigate the effects of a developed bioreactor system on TEVG maturation and mechanical properties.
- To analyze the cellular and structural responses of TEVG to different flow training programs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of three-layered TEVG from a flat sheet to a tubular structure on glass fiber scaffolds.
- Maturation and mechanical training of constructed tubular tissues using a developed bioreactor system under three distinct flow programs.
- Assessment of mechanical properties (burst pressure resistance) and biological characteristics (fluorescent imaging, histological examination) of trained and untrained tissues.
Main Results:
- Bioreactor training significantly increased tissue burst pressure resistance up to 18 kPa compared to untrained tissue.
- Fluorescent imaging and histology demonstrated distinct cellular layer responses to varying training flow rates.
- Histological analysis revealed an inverse relationship between tissue thickness and shear stress, with unique thickness profiles for each cell layer.
Conclusions:
- A three-layered tissue structure mimicking physiological vessels can be assembled using sequential seeding of different cell types.
- Bioreactor training with increasing flow rates effectively promotes cell survival, enhances pressure resistance, and refines cell layer properties in TEVG.
- This approach offers a viable strategy for developing functional TEVG for small diameter blood vessel repair.
