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A facile method for fabricating a three-dimensional aligned fibrous scaffold for vascular application
Feng Lin Ng1,2, Yee Oon Ong1, Hui Zhi Chen1
1School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University N4. 1-01-07, 50 Nanyang Avenue Singapore 639798 Singapore lptan@ntu.edu.sg.
RSC Advances
|May 6, 2022
Summary
This study developed 3D aligned fibrous scaffolds to improve vascular graft performance. These scaffolds promote vascular smooth muscle cell alignment and maintain their contractile phenotype, enhancing graft success.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Vascular graft replacement is crucial for treating vascular diseases.
- Maintaining vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) phenotype is a key challenge in graft success.
- Current endovascular techniques have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of surface topographical cues for vSMC alignment and phenotype maintenance.
- To develop and evaluate a 3D aligned fibrous scaffold for vascular applications.
Main Methods:
- An electrospinning setup was engineered to create circumferentially aligned fibers on a 3D tubular scaffold.
- Vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) were cultured on the aligned fibrous substrate.
- Cell proliferation, shape directionality, and expression of contractile proteins (α-SMA, MHC) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The 3D scaffold mimicked the native tunica media micro-architecture.
- Aligned fibers successfully induced vSMC alignment and maintained their contractile phenotype.
- Enhanced vSMC proliferation and cell-shape directionality were observed.
- Orderly organization of α-SMA and MHC as microfilament bundles confirmed functional expression.
Conclusions:
- 3D aligned tubular scaffolds show potential for enhancing and regulating vSMC function.
- Scaffold tunability (diameter, thickness) allows for patient-specific tailoring.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for improving vascular graft performance and ex vivo studies.
