Electrospun Poly-ε-Caprolactone Scaffolds Incorporating Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Suturable Tissue Engineered Small Vascular Graft
1Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 2Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 180
Keywords: N/A
Topic: Basic Science » Basic Science » 06 - Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Session Information
Session Name: Cellular/Islet Therapies and Tissue Engineering
Session Type: Rapid Fire Oral Abstract
Date: Sunday, June 5, 2022
Session Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Presentation Time: 6:10pm-6:20pm
Location: Hynes Room 310
*Purpose: While small-sized grafts (1-5mm in diameter) are essential vascular conduits needed to replace diseased end arteries supplying vital organs or tissues, the use of synthetic grafts is limited due to high rates of thrombosis. Enhancing cellular recruitment to scaffolds of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVG) is an essential first step towards less thrombogenic vascular graft. To enhance cellular recruitment and achieve better cellular mimicry, we have developed a TEVG using electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL)/ decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) composite scaffolds.
*Methods: An electrospun acellular hybrid scaffold was fabricated using PCL and dECM from the rat aorta. The surface morphology of the PCL/dECM graft was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties including longitudinal elastic modulus and tensile strength were examined. In vitro biocompatibility was assessed using an MTT assay. The In vivo performance PCL/dECM graft was evaluated in the rat aorta interposition model and was compared to the performance of PCL-only graft and syngeneic aortic graft.
*Results: PCL/dECM electrospun TEVG with a diameter of 1mm was successfully fabricated. Compared to electrospun grafts made of PCL only, PCL/dECM graft showed a larger fiber diameter and greater porosity. While the two grafts’ tensile strength was comparable, Young’s modulus of PCL/dECM grafts was lower. 10 PCL/ECM grafts and 10 PCL grafts were used to replace the aorta of 20 rats. 17 survived till graft explantation. The degree of lumen occlusion or neointimal hyperplasia after 4 and 12 weeks after graft implantation was not statistically different between syngeneic, PCL-only, and PCL/dECM graft. While PCL/dECM graft showed earlier infiltration of host cells into grafts, it was limited by earlier graft degradation compared to PCL.
*Conclusions: PCL/ ECM hybrid polymer-based electrospun graft showed comparable tensile strength and better early cellular recruitment in vivo compared to PCL-only graft. However, the in vivo performance of PCL/ECM graft was limited due to early degradation.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Han A, Min S, Cho E, Woo H, Cho A, Ha J, Ju Y, Min S. Electrospun Poly-ε-Caprolactone Scaffolds Incorporating Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Suturable Tissue Engineered Small Vascular Graft [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/electrospun-poly-%ce%b5-caprolactone-scaffolds-incorporating-decellularized-extracellular-matrix-for-suturable-tissue-engineered-small-vascular-graft/. Accessed May 30, 2025.« Back to 2022 American Transplant Congress