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Biohybrid elastin-like venous valve with potential for in situ tissue engineering
Fernando González-Pérez1, Sergio Acosta2, Stephan Rütten3
1Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER-BBN, Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|October 10, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel biohybrid venous valve for treating chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). This transcatheter implant shows promising mechanical and hemodynamic performance for CVI patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Vascular Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a prevalent vascular condition with limited therapeutic options.
- Current treatments for CVI are scarce, and no venous valve prostheses are clinically available.
- CVI manifests as varicose veins, edema, venous ulcers, and venous hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and characterize a novel bi-leaflet transcatheter venous valve for CVI treatment.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties, hemocompatibility, and hemodynamic performance of the engineered valve.
- To assess the potential of the valve as an *in situ* tissue engineering implant.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a biohybrid venous valve (EVV) using elastin-like recombinamers, textile mesh, and a bioabsorbable magnesium stent.
- Mechanical characterization, including anisotropic behavior and strength assessment.
- In vitro evaluation of hemocompatibility (hemolysis, platelet adhesion) and endothelialization.
- Hydrodynamic testing in a pulsatile bioreactor to assess regurgitation and pressure drop.
- Simulated transcatheter delivery to evaluate implantation feasibility.
Main Results:
- The EVV exhibited anisotropic mechanical behavior comparable to native venous valves and suitable strength for implantation.
- Minimal hemolysis and platelet adhesion were observed, indicating good hemocompatibility.
- The EVV actively supported endothelialization *in vitro*, suggesting potential for *in situ* tissue engineering.
- Hydrodynamic testing revealed excellent performance with low regurgitation (<10%) and pressure drop (<5 mmHg).
- The valve demonstrated resilience during simulated transcatheter delivery.
Conclusions:
- The developed biohybrid transcatheter venous valve is a promising concept for CVI treatment.
- The EVV shows suitable mechanical and hemodynamic properties for vascular implantation.
- This off-the-shelf implant has significant potential for clinical application in managing CVI.
