Human endothelial progenitor cell attachment to polysaccharide-based hydrogels: a pre-requisite for vascular tissue engineering

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2007 Feb;18(2):339-45. doi: 10.1007/s10856-006-0698-1.

Abstract

A hydrogel was prepared from polysaccharides (pullulan/dextran/fucoidan) and evaluated as a novel biomaterial for Endothelial Progenitor Cell (EPC) culture. Using a cross-linking process with sodium trimetaphosphate in aqueous solution, homogeneous, transparent and easy to handle gels were obtained with a water content higher than 90%. Circular scaffolds (6 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness discs) were used for cell culture. Different types of EPCs were used: CD34+ derived ECs from cord blood and two sorts of CD133+ derived ECs from human bone marrow, old (30 days) and young (4 days) cells. EPCs were characterised as endothelial cells by immunofluorescent stainings for CD31 and Dil-Ac-LDL. CD133+ derived ECs from bone marrow were characterized by RT-PCR for CD31, VE-cadherin and KDR. HSVECs (Human Saphenous Vein Endothelial Cells) were used as control cells. We evaluated whether different kinds of EPCs could adhere on this novel hydrogel 4 h and 24 h after seeding, by a colorimetric quantitative test. EPCs adhered to hydrogels in serum- free conditions with values being over than 80% for young CD133+ cells at 4 h and 24 h. This pullulan-based hydrogel could constitute a suitable support for vascular cell adhesion as a pre-requisite for vascular tissue engineering.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis*
  • Blood Vessels / cytology*
  • Blood Vessels / growth & development*
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / physiology
  • Particle Size
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry*
  • Shear Strength
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / physiology
  • Surface Properties
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Hydrogels
  • Polysaccharides