Pericyte Seeded Dual Peptide Scaffold with Improved Endothelialization for Vascular Graft Tissue Engineering. Issue 23 (26th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campagnolo, Paola; Gormley, Adam J.; Chow, Lesley W.; Guex, Anne Géraldine; Parmar, Paresh A.; Puetzer, Jennifer L.; Steele, Joseph A. M.; Breant, Alexandre; Madeddu, Paolo; Stevens, Molly M.
• Is Part Of: Advanced healthcare materials. Volume 5:Issue 23(2016)
• Page Start: 3046
• Page End: 3055
• Publication Date: 2016-10-26
• Subjects: biofunctionalization -- electrospinning -- endothelialization -- pericytes -- tissue engineered vascular graft; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201600699
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2192-2640

Abstract

Abstract : The development of synthetic vascular grafts for coronary artery bypass is challenged by insufficient endothelialization, which increases the risk of thrombosis, and the lack of native cellular constituents, which favors pathological remodeling. Here, a bifunctional electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold with potential for synthetic vascular graft applications is presented. This scaffold incorporates two tethered peptides: the osteopontin‐derived peptide (Adh) on the "luminal" side and a heparin‐binding peptide (Hep) on the "abluminal" side. Additionally, the "abluminal" side of the scaffold is seeded with saphenous vein‐derived pericytes (SVPs) as a source of proangiogenic growth factors. The Adh peptide significantly increases endothelial cell adhesion, while the Hep peptide promotes accumulation of vascular endothelial growth factor secreted by SVPs. SVPs increase endothelial migration both in a transwell assay and a modified scratch assay performed on the PCL scaffold. Seeding of SVPs on the "abluminal"/Hep side of the scaffold further increases endothelial cell density, indicating a combinatory effect of the peptides and pericytes. Finally, SVP‐seeded scaffolds are preserved by freezing in a xeno‐free medium, maintaining good cell viability and function. In conclusion, this engineered scaffold combines patient‐derived pericytes and spatially organized functionalities, which synergistically increase endothelial cell density and growth factor retention. Abstract : Bifunctionalized and pericyte coated electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone) scaffold for vascular tissue engineering combines the proangiogenic capacity of the seeded pericytes and the presence of a luminal adhesive peptide and an abluminal heparin‐binding peptide. The synergy of the growth factors secreted by the pericytes and coordinated by the heparin and the adhesive luminal surface contributes to the enhanced endothelialization observed.