Chitosan-Heparin Polyelectrolyte Multilayer-Modified Poly(vinyl alcohol) Vascular Patches based on a Decellularized Scaffold for Vascular Regeneration.

Vascular patches play an important role in vascular reparation and cardiovascular diseases therapy. Recently, decellularized scaffold (DCS)-based vascular patches have drawn attention for their good biocompatibility and blood compatibility. In this work, we developed a poly(vinyl alcohol)-coated DCS as a vascular patch for vascular regeneration. Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) were further decorated on the surface via layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly to improve the biocompatibility of the vascular patch. According to the in vitro experiment, the vascular patch exhibited rapid endothelialization and good hemocompatibility. Compared with unmodified poly(vinyl alcohol)/DCS, the PEM-modified vascular patch possesses improved hemocompatibility, for example, enhanced anti-platelet adhesion ability, prolonged in vitro coagulation time, and decreased hemolysis rate. Therefore, this vascular patch is conducive to the proliferation and attachment of endothelial progenitor cells. Meanwhile, the in vivo performance in a porcine model was investigated with the in vivo computed tomography angiography and B ultrasound was used to further confirm the vascular regeneration. Excitedly, the porcine artery could remain unblocked for 5 months after implantation. Our current research provides a potential strategy for treating diseased blood vessels in clinical surgery.

Polyurethane-Cardiolipin Nanoparticle-Modified Decellularized Scaffold-Based Vascular Patches for Tissue Engineering Applications.

Vascular patches based on a decellularized scaffold (DCS) have received considerable attention for the treatment of vascular defects caused by cardiovascular diseases. In this work, we fabricated a polyurethane-cardiolipin/polyurethane composite film (PU-CL/PU) by cosedimentating PU-CL nanoparticles in a PU-saturated ethanol solution onto a PU film and evaluated the biocompatibility of the composite film. We also fabricated a PU-CL/PU/DCS vascular patch (CLVP) and investigated its in vivo performance in a mouse model. The PU-CL/PU film showed improved biocompatibility features, such as a prolonged in vitro coagulation time, improved nonhemolytic properties, enhanced resistance to platelet adhesion, reduced cytotoxicity, and enhanced affinity for endothelial progenitor cells. The B ultrasound and the Doppler spectrum results indicated that the CLVP maintained blood vessel patency 30 days after implantation. In addition, endothelialization at the surgical site was achieved. Therefore, the CLVP may have great potential for the treatment of diseased or damaged blood vessels.

Zwitterionic Polymer-Grafted Polylactic Acid Vascular Patches Based on a Decellularized Scaffold for Tissue Engineering.

More than 10 million people suffer from cardiovascular diseases, and diseased blood vessels need to be treated with vascular patches. For a vascular patch, good affinity for endothelial progenitor cells is a key factor in promoting the formation of endothelial tissue-endothelialization. To construct such a vascular patch with good cell affnity, in this work, we first synthesized a reactive zwitterionic organophosphate containing a phosphorylcholine headgroup: 6-(acryloyloxy)hexyl-2-(N-isopropyl-N,N-dimethylammonio)ethyl phosphate (AHEP). We then grafted AHEP onto a polylactic acid (PLA)-coated decellularized scaffold to obtain a vascular patch. Its hydrophilicity and biocompatibility were investigated. Its in vivo performance was also examined in a pig model with B-ultrasonography, Doppler spectra, and computed tomography angiography. The vascular patch demonstrated a nonhemolytic property, noncytotoxicity, long in vitro coagulation times, the strong ability to resist platelet adhesion, and a good affinity for endothelial progenitor cells. The vascular patch was able to maintain the long-term patency (5 months) of surgical arteries. Hence, the zwitterionic polymer-grafted PLA vascular patch may be a promising candidate for vascular tissue engineering.