Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2008 Apr;41(2):160-169.

Development of Artificial Vessels with Autologous Bone Marrow Cells and Polymers

• Choi JW
• Lim SH
• Hong YS
• Kim BS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To treat anastomosis site stenosis and occlusion of the artificial vessels used in vascular surgery, tissue-engineered artificial vessels using autologous cells have been constructed. We developed artificial vessels using a polymer scaffold and autologous bone marrow cells and performed an in vivo evaluation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We manufactured a vascular scaffold using biodegradable PLCL (poly lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) and PGA (poly glycolic acid) fibers. Then we seeded autologous bone marrow cells onto the scaffold. After implantation of the artificial vessel into the abdominal aorta, we performed an angiography 3 weeks after surgery. After the dogs were euthanized we retrieved the artificial vessels and performed histological analysis. RESULT: Among the six dogs, 2 dogs died of massive bleeding due to a crack in the vascular scaffold 10 days after the operation. The remaining four dogs lived for 3 weeks after the operation. In these dogs, the angiography revealed no stenosis or occlusion at 3 weeks after the operation. Gross examination revealed small thrombi on the inner surface of the vessels and the histological analysis showed three layers of vessel structure similar to the native vessel. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated regeneration of the endothelial and smooth muscle cell layers.
CONCLUSION
A tissue engineered vascular graft was manufactured using a polymer scaffold and autologous bone marrow cells that had a structure similar to that of the native artery. Further research is needed to determine how to accommodate the aortic pressure.

Keyword

Tissue engineering; Graft; Vascular prosthesis

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Animals
Aorta, Abdominal
Arterial Pressure
Arteries
Blood Vessel Prosthesis
Bone Marrow
Bone Marrow Cells
Constriction, Pathologic
Dogs
Glycosaminoglycans
Hemorrhage
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
Polymers
Prostaglandins A
Regeneration
Seeds
Tissue Engineering
Transplants
Glycosaminoglycans
Polymers
Prostaglandins A