Poly(ethylmethacrylate-co-diethylaminoethyl acrylate) coating improves endothelial re-population, bio-mechanical and anti-thrombogenic properties of decellularized carotid arteries for blood vessel replacement

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 24;7(1):407. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00294-6.

Abstract

Decellularized vascular scaffolds are promising materials for vessel replacements. However, despite the natural origin of decellularized vessels, issues such as biomechanical incompatibility, immunogenicity risks and the hazards of thrombus formation, still need to be addressed. In this study, we coated decellularized vessels obtained from porcine carotid arteries with poly (ethylmethacrylate-co-diethylaminoethylacrylate) (8g7) with the purpose of improving endothelial coverage and minimizing platelet attachment while enhancing the mechanical properties of the decellularized vascular scaffolds. The polymer facilitated binding of endothelial cells (ECs) with high affinity and also induced endothelial cell capillary tube formation. In addition, platelets showed reduced adhesion on the polymer under flow conditions. Moreover, the coating of the decellularized arteries improved biomechanical properties by increasing its tensile strength and load. In addition, after 5 days in culture, ECs seeded on the luminal surface of 8g7-coated decellularized arteries showed good regeneration of the endothelium. Overall, this study shows that polymer coating of decellularized vessels provides a new strategy to improve re-endothelialization of vascular grafts, maintaining or enhancing mechanical properties while reducing the risk of thrombogenesis. These results could have potential applications in improving tissue-engineered vascular grafts for cardiovascular therapies with small caliber vessels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biopolymers
  • Blood Platelets / physiology
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Carotid Arteries / physiology*
  • Carotid Arteries / ultrastructure
  • Carotid Artery Thrombosis / prevention & control*
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Humans
  • Methylmethacrylates / chemistry*
  • Swine
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Biopolymers
  • Methylmethacrylates
  • poly(ethylmethacrylate)