Recombinant human tropoelastin (inner layer) + PCL (outer layer)
Electrospinning using a rotating mandrel; cross-linking: glutaraldehyde vapors
2.8 mm
kPa, BP ~ 1900* mmHg,
~ 0.065* kPa−1, HP = minimal;
similar to internal mammary artery:
± 46 kPa, BP ~ 2267 ± 215 mmHg, ~ 0.09* kPa−1
SEM and fluorescence microscope (3 days): HUVECs attached and proliferated;
platelet attachment: reduced, compared to ePTFE and PCL
Model: rabbit (1 month); maintenance of physical integrity; no evidence of dilatation, anastomotic dehiscence, or seroma; mechanical properties of implanted grafts remained similar to controls
SRS = 3.0 ± 1.1 N, BP = 4915 ± 155 mmHg, = 5.6 ± 1.6%/100 mmHg;
axial tensile tests: UTS = 4.0 ± 0.4 MPa,
= 2.7 ± 1.2 MPa,
= 140 ± 13%; maintenance of tensile properties in a perfusion bioreactor system under overphysiological conditions for 4 weeks;
native porcine coronary artery: UTS ~ 2.5* MPa,
MPa,
%
ECs and SMCs from bovine carotid artery;
cytotoxicity via direct contact (7 days—MTS assay): no differences in cell viability compared to TCPs;
cytocompatibility (7 days—MTS assay): EC and SMC adhesion and proliferation;
cell culture on tubular grafts (48 h—SEM and histological analysis): SMCs formed multiple cell layers on the outer region, ECs formed a monolayer on the inner surface
ECs derived from endothelial progenitor cells isolated from live sheep; SMCs isolated from sheep artery explants; dynamic culture using a pulsatile bioreactor under physiologic conditions (9 days);
SEM + histological analysis: ECs formed a confluent layer on the inner lumen, SMCs assumed a multilayered configuration on the exterior
Platelet adhesion in a live sheep model for 15 min: no adhesion for seeded grafts, abundant adhesion for unseeded grafts;
model: rabbit (1 month); acellular grafts; no aneurysmal degeneration; majority of the grafts remained patent at 1 month; absence of inflammatory infiltrate
HCAECs rotationally seeded in the bioreactor for 4 h + static culture (10 days—SEM and histological analysis): HCAECs evenly distributed and well spread on the lumen
Model: rabbit (7 weeks); acellular grafts without collagen coating; no blood leaking; graft structure integrity and patency; foreign body response: no cell infiltration
PLDLA tubular warp knit structure + coating of fibrin gel with SMCs and fibroblasts
~5 mm
—
ECs, SMCs, and fibroblasts isolated from ovine carotid arteries; ECs seeding in the inner layer using a rotating chamber; dynamic culture in a bioreactor under physiological pressure conditions for 21–28 days;
histological analysis: a dense, homogenous distribution of cells throughout the scaffold thickness, extensive collagen
Model: sheep (6 months); ID ~ 6 mm; cellular grafts (dynamic culture for 21–28 days); at 3 months 1 graft with a significant stenosis; other grafts: completely patent, no thrombus formation and aneurysm, infection, or calcification; remodeling: confluent endothelium, collagen and other ECM components, and elastin (not assembled in cohesive sheets);
