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[High-porosity and normal-porosity prostheses. Differences in growth factor release]
P Sapienza1, L Di Marzo, A Cucina
1I Istituto di Clinica Chirurgica, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza.
Minerva Cardioangiologica
|December 8, 1998
Summary
Synthetic vascular graft failure is often caused by a lack of endothelial lining. Umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured on ePTFE grafts showed increased PDGF-BB and bFGF release, suggesting improved cell interactions for better graft performance.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Vascular Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Anastomotic neointimal fibrous hyperplasia is a primary cause of synthetic vascular graft failure.
- The absence of an endothelial lining on prosthetic grafts contributes significantly to this issue.
- Investigating endothelial cell behavior on expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts is crucial for improving graft patency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the release of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by umbilical vein endothelial cells (UVECs).
- To compare growth factor release from UVECs cultured on standard or high porosity ePTFE vascular grafts with controls.
- To assess the impact of graft porosity and surface coatings on endothelial cell coverage and growth factor secretion.
Main Methods:
- UVECs were cultured on standard (30 microns) and high porosity (60 microns) ePTFE disks, with and without collagen type I, fibronectin, and Matrigel coatings.
- Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine endothelial cell coverage.
- A 48-hour inhibition antibody-binding assay measured PDGF-BB and bFGF levels in serum-free conditioned media.
Main Results:
- Endothelial cell coverage was comparable across all tested ePTFE graft conditions (coated/uncoated, standard/high porosity).
- Significantly higher release of PDGF-BB and bFGF was observed from endothelial cells cultured on both standard and high porosity ePTFE grafts compared to plastic well controls (p < 0.05).
- Growth factor release was independent of the specific substrate coatings used on the ePTFE grafts.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial cell coverage on ePTFE grafts did not differ significantly based on porosity or coating.
- ePTFE grafts significantly enhanced the release of PDGF-BB and bFGF by endothelial cells.
- The study suggests altered interactions between endothelial cells, matrices, and the synthetic prosthesis contribute to smooth muscle cell proliferation at anastomoses and within grafts.