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Endothelial cell seeding of de-endothelialised human arteries: improvement by adhesion molecule induction and
K P Walluscheck1, G Steinhoff, A Haverich
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Kiel, Germany.
Objectives:
To assess re-endothelialisation of denuded human arteries by two different seeding techniques using adhesion molecule induction and a dynamic flow-seeding.
Design:
Prospective, open study.
Setting:
University Department of Cardiovascular Surgery.
Materials And Methods:
In the first group (I) segments of human common carotid arteries (n = 4) were balloon-denuded, short-time seeded with cultured adult human venous endothelial cells (EC) and exposed to a mock circulation. In the second group (II) (n = 4), EC were incubated with a synthetic RGD peptide (arginine-glycine-aspartate) prior to seeding with the aim of upregulating the cellular adhesion molecules and increasing EC attachment. In the third group (III) (n = 4), EC were seeded not using the common technique of instillating cells and sequentially rotating the graft but by a dynamic flow application. The percentage of EC-covered luminal surface was assessed by image analysis of scanning electron micrographs.
Results:
EC attachment was significantly increased in groups II (73%) and III (94%) compared with group I (34%). In group III, a preconfluent monolayer could be established immediately after seeding. One hour of artificial perfusion resulted in no significant EC loss in any of the study groups.
Conclusions:
RGD-peptide preincubation improves EC seeding of biological surfaces. Because of accelerated seeding times it may have good potential for clinical applications. The flow-seeding technology may be indispensable if EC seeding of the vascular surface of complete organ systems is required.