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Patch Angioplasty in the Rat Aorta or Inferior Vena Cava
Published on: February 27, 2017
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Egg Shell Membrane as an Alternative Vascular Patch for Arterial Angioplasty
Peng Sun1,2, Shujie Yan3,4, Liwei Zhang1
1Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|April 4, 2022
Summary
Egg shell membrane (ESM) shows potential as a vascular patch, mimicking natural tissue healing. Heparin-conjugated ESM (HESM) also demonstrates effective anticoagulation, suggesting promise for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Egg shell membrane (ESM) is an underutilized waste product with demonstrated in vitro re-endothelialization potential.
- Vascular grafts are crucial for arterial reconstruction, but synthetic options carry risks like thrombosis.
- Investigating novel biomaterials for vascular patching is essential for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of egg shell membrane (ESM) and heparin-conjugated ESM (HESM) as arterial patches in a rat aortic angioplasty model.
- To compare the healing response of ESM and HESM patches with decellularized aorta (TA) patches.
- To assess the in vitro and in vivo anticoagulation properties of HESM.
Main Methods:
- A rat abdominal aortic patch angioplasty model was established using Sprague-Dawley rats.
- Decellularized rat thoracic aorta (TA) served as the control; ESM and HESM patches were prepared.
- Implanted patches were analyzed at 14 days via immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence for cellular infiltration, endothelialization, and proliferation markers (PCNA).
- Heparin conjugation and anticoagulation properties were verified through platelet adhesion tests and assessment of mural thrombus formation.
Main Results:
- ESM patches facilitated cell migration and infiltration, exhibiting a healing process similar to TA patches.
- Neointima formation with endothelial cells expressing arterial markers (Ephrin-B2, dll-4) was observed in both ESM and TA groups.
- HESM demonstrated successful heparin conjugation and potent in vitro anticoagulation, significantly reducing mural thrombus formation in vivo.
- Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells and dual-positive cells (PCNA/alpha smooth muscle actin) were present in the neointima.
Conclusions:
- Egg shell membrane (ESM) serves as a viable natural scaffold for vascular patching, comparable to decellularized aorta.
- Heparin-conjugated ESM (HESM) exhibits significant anticoagulation properties both in vitro and in vivo.
- ESM represents a promising, cost-effective biomaterial for potential clinical application as a vascular graft.
