Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
10385 Biomaterials 2009 11 Pages PDF
Abstract

The thrombotic and hyperplastic limitations associated with synthetic small diameter vascular grafts have generated sustained interest in finding a tissue engineering solution for autologous vascular segment generation in situ. One approach is to place a biodegradable scaffold at the site that would provide acute mechanical support while vascular tissue develops. To generate a scaffold that possessed both non-thrombogenic character and mechanical properties appropriate for vascular tissue, a biodegradable poly(ester urethane)urea (PEUU) and non-thrombogenic bioinspired phospholipid polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-methacryloyloxyethyl butylurethane) (PMBU) were blended at PMBU weight fractions of 0–15% and electrospun to create fibrous scaffolds. The composite scaffolds were flexible with breaking strains exceeding 300%, tensile strengths of 7–10 MPa and compliances of 2.9–4.4 × 10−4 mmHg−1. In vitro platelet deposition on the scaffold surfaces significantly decreased with increasing PMBU content. Rat smooth muscle cell proliferation was also inhibited on PEUU/PMBU blended scaffolds with greater inhibition at higher PMBU content. Fibrous vascular conduits (1.3 mm inner diameter) implanted in the rat abdominal aorta for 8 weeks showed greater patency for grafts with 15% PMBU blending versus PEUU without PMBU (67% versus 40%). A thin neo-intimal layer with endothelial coverage and good anastomotic tissue integration was seen for the PEUU/PMBU vascular grafts. These results are encouraging for further evaluation of this technique in larger diameter applications for longer implant periods.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Bioengineering
Authors
, , , , , ,