Design of biomimetic vascular grafts with magnetic endothelial patterning

Cell Transplant. 2013;22(11):2105-18. doi: 10.3727/096368912X661300. Epub 2013 Jan 2.

Abstract

The development of small diameter vascular grafts with a controlled pluricellular organization is still needed for effective vascular tissue engineering. Here, we describe a technological approach combining a tubular scaffold and magnetically labeled cells to create a pluricellular and organized vascular graft, the endothelialization of which could be monitored by MRI prior to transplantation. A novel type of scaffold was developed with a tubular geometry and a porous bulk structure enabling the seeding of cells in the scaffold pores. A homogeneous distribution of human mesenchymal stem cells in the macroporous structure was obtained by seeding the freeze-dried scaffold with the cell suspension. The efficient covering of the luminal surface of the tube was then made possible thanks to the implementation of a magnetic-based patterning technique. Human endothelial cells or endothelial progenitors were magnetically labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles and successfully attracted to the 2-mm lumen where they attached and formed a continuous endothelium. The combination of imaging modalities [fluorescence imaging, histology, and 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] evidenced the integrity of the vascular construct. In particular, the observation of different cell organizations in a vascular scaffold within the range of resolution of single cells by 4.7 T MRI is reported.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetics*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Porosity
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tissue Scaffolds

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Polysaccharides
  • ferric oxide