J Korean Surg Soc.  2001 Jun;60(6):579-583.

Tissue Engineering of Vascular Prosthetic Grafts Using Autogenous Vein Cells

• Kim DI
• Jeong HA
• Jung YJ
• Kim JE
• Han JS
• Park JH
• Lee BB
• Huh SH
• Suh SW

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate bioartificial vessels capable of being used for vascular grafts, we studied cell-polymer constructs from venous smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and biodegradable scaffolds using the canine model.
METHODS
Scaffolds constructed from 50/50 poly (D,L-Lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) were created with pores containing gelatin particles. Disk type scaffolds were used as templates of cell attachment and vascular tissue regeneration. SMCs were isolated from canine external jugular veins and primary SMCs cultures were produced with the explant-derived method. SMCs were seeded into the scaffolds and cultured statically for 4 weeks. The cell-polymer constructs were examined histochemically and using scanning electron microscopy.
RESULTS
The SMCs obtained by the explant-derived method were confirmed with immunohistochemical staining using an anti-smooth muscle actin antibody. Four weeks after the SMCs were seeded into the scaffold, histological examination showed SMCs infiltration into the scaffold wall and scanning electron microscopy revealed the SMCs mass which resembled tissue on the scaffold surface.
CONCLUSION
This is a pilot study for the constructing artificial vessels using tissue engineering. The construction of the ideal scaffold for vessel and the improvement of culture methods in vitro are the most important parts in this field.

Keyword

Tissue engineering; Graft; Scaffold

MeSH Terms

Actins
Gelatin
Jugular Veins
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
Pilot Projects
Regeneration
Tissue Engineering*
Transplants*
Veins*
Actins
Gelatin