Implantation of VEGF‐functionalized cell‐free vascular grafts: regenerative and immunological response
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: Recently, our group demonstrated that immobilized VEGF can capture flowing endothelial cells (ECs) from the blood in vitro and promote endothelialization and patency of acellular tissue-engineered vessels (A-TEVs) into the arterial system of an ovine animal model. Here, we demonstrate implantability of submillimeter diameter heparin and VEGF-decorated A-TEVs in a mouse model and discuss the cellular and immunologic response. At 1 mo postimplantation, the graft lumen was fully endothelialized, as shown by expression of EC markers such as CD144, eNOS, CD31, and VEGFR2. Interestingly, the same cells coexpressed leukocyte/macrophage (Mϕ) markers CD14, CD16, VEGFR1, CD38, and EGR2. Notably, there was a stark difference in the cellular makeup between grafts containing VEGF and those containing heparin alone. In VEGF-containing grafts, infiltrating monocytes (MCs) converted into anti-inflammatory M2-Mϕs, and the grafts developed well-demarcated luminal and medial layers resembling those of native arteries. In contrast, in grafts containing only heparin, MCs converted primarily into M1-Mϕs, and the endothelial and smooth muscle layers were not well defined. Our results indicate that VEGF may play an important role in regulating A-TEV patency and regeneration, possibly by regulating the inflammatory response to the implants.-Smith, R. J., Jr., Yi, T., Nasiri, B., Breuer, C. K., Andreadis, S. T. Implantation of VEGF-functionalized cell-free vascular grafts: regenerative and immunological response.
Source: The FASEB Journal
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Reversing the effects of donor aging on adult stem cell potential, Development of an Improved Vascular Graft for Use in Congenital Heart Surgery, The Role of Monocytes in the development of tissue engineered vascular grafts., Cell-free vascular grafts: immunological response and vascular regeneration, Improving Tissue Engineered Vascular Graft Performance via Computational Modeling, G957261839
OpenAlex ID: W2909858700