Hemodynamic performance of tissue-engineered vascular grafts in Fontan patients.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Schwarz EL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8298568 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Similar Datasets
Project description:Pathologies related to the cardiovascular system are the leading causes of death worldwide. One of the main treatments is conventional surgery with autologous transplants. Although donor grafts are often unavailable, tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) show promise for clinical treatments. A systematic review of the recent scientific literature was performed using PubMed (Medline) and Web of Science databases to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in TEVG development. The use of TEVG in human patients remains quite restricted owing to the presence of vascular stenosis, existence of thrombi, and poor graft patency. A total of 92 original articles involving human patients and animal models were analyzed. A meta-analysis of the influence of the vascular graft diameter on the occurrence of thrombosis and graft patency was performed for the different models analyzed. Although there is no ideal animal model for TEVG research, the murine model is the most extensively used. Hybrid grafting, electrospinning, and cell seeding are currently the most promising technologies. The results showed that there is a tendency for thrombosis and non-patency in small-diameter grafts. TEVGs are under constant development, and research is oriented towards the search for safe devices.
| S-EPMC8595218 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Use of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) in the repair of congenital heart defects provides growth and remodeling potential. Little is known about the mechanisms involved in neovessel formation. We sought to define the role of seeded monocytes derived from bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) on neovessel formation.Small diameter biodegradable tubular scaffolds were constructed. Scaffolds were seeded with the entire population of BM-MNC (n = 15), BM-MNC excluding monocytes (n = 15), or only monocytes (n = 15) and implanted as infrarenal inferior vena cava (IVC) interposition grafts into severe combined immunodeficiency/bg mice. Grafts were evaluated at 1 week, 10 weeks, or 6 months via ultrasonography and microcomputed tomography, as well as by histologic and immunohistochemical techniques.All grafts remained patent without stenosis or aneurysm formation. Neovessels contained a luminal endothelial lining surrounded by concentric smooth muscle cell layer and collagen similar to that seen in the native mouse IVC. Graft diameters differed significantly between those scaffolds seeded with only monocytes (1.022 +/- 0.155 mm) and those seeded without monocytes (0.771 +/- 0.121 mm; P = .021) at 6 months.Monocytes may play a role in maintaining graft patency. Incorporation of such findings into the development of second-generation TEVGs will promote graft patency and success.
| S-EPMC2971535 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We developed a tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) for use in children and present results of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved clinical trial evaluating this graft in patients with single-ventricle cardiac anomalies. The TEVG was used as a Fontan conduit to connect the inferior vena cava and pulmonary artery, but a high incidence of graft narrowing manifested within the first 6 months, which was treated successfully with angioplasty. To elucidate mechanisms underlying this early stenosis, we used a data-informed, computational model to perform in silico parametric studies of TEVG development. The simulations predicted early stenosis as observed in our clinical trial but suggested further that such narrowing could reverse spontaneously through an inflammation-driven, mechano-mediated mechanism. We tested this unexpected, model-generated hypothesis by implanting TEVGs in an ovine inferior vena cava interposition graft model, which confirmed the prediction that TEVG stenosis resolved spontaneously and was typically well tolerated. These findings have important implications for our translational research because they suggest that angioplasty may be safely avoided in patients with asymptomatic early stenosis, although there will remain a need for appropriate medical monitoring. The simulations further predicted that the degree of reversible narrowing can be mitigated by altering the scaffold design to attenuate early inflammation and increase mechano-sensing by the synthetic cells, thus suggesting a new paradigm for optimizing next-generation TEVGs. We submit that there is considerable translational advantage to combined computational-experimental studies when designing cutting-edge technologies and their clinical management.
| S-EPMC7478265 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can be derived in large numbers from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for producing tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs). However, hiPSC-derived TEVGs are hampered by low mechanical strength and significant radial dilation after implantation. Here, we report generation of hiPSC-derived TEVGs with mechanical strength comparable to native vessels used in arterial bypass grafts by utilizing biodegradable scaffolds, incremental pulsatile stretching, and optimal culture conditions. Following implantation into a rat aortic model, hiPSC-derived TEVGs show excellent patency without luminal dilation and effectively maintain mechanical and contractile function. This study provides a foundation for future production of non-immunogenic, cellularized hiPSC-derived TEVGs composed of allogenic vascular cells, potentially serving needs to a considerable number of patients whose dysfunctional vascular cells preclude TEVG generation via other methods.
| S-EPMC7021512 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The utility of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to create tissue-engineered vascular grafts was evaluated in this study. hiPSC lines were first induced into a mesenchymal lineage via a neural crest intermediate using a serum-free, chemically defined differentiation scheme. Derived cells exhibited commonly known mesenchymal markers (CD90, CD105, and CD73 and negative marker CD45) and were shown to differentiate into several mesenchymal lineages (osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic). Functional vascular grafts were then engineered by culturing hiPSC-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells in a pulsatile bioreactor system over 8 weeks to induce smooth muscle cell differentiation and collagenous matrix generation. Histological analyses confirmed layers of calponin-positive smooth muscle cells in a collagen-rich matrix. Mechanical tests revealed that grafts had an average burst pressure of 700 mmHg, which is approximately half that of native veins. Additionally, studies revealed that karyotypically normal mesenchymal stem cell clones led to generation of grafts with predicted features of engineered vascular grafts, whereas derived clones having chromosomal abnormalities generated calcified vessel constructs, possibly because of cell apoptosis during culture. Overall, these results provide significant insight into the utility of hiPS cells for vascular graft generation. They pave the way for creating personalized, patient-specific vascular grafts for surgical applications, as well as for creating experimental models of vascular development and disease.
| S-EPMC4250208 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We previously developed a tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) made by seeding autologous cells onto a biodegradable tubular scaffold, in an attempt to create a living vascular graft with growth potential for use in children undergoing congenital heart surgery. Results of our clinical trial showed that the TEVG possesses growth capacity but that its widespread clinical use is not yet advisable due to the high incidence of TEVG stenosis. In animal models, TEVG stenosis is caused by increased monocytic cell recruitment and its classic ("M1") activation. Here, we report on the source and regulation of these monocytes. TEVGs were implanted in wild-type, CCR2 knockout ( Ccr2-/-), splenectomized, and spleen graft recipient mice. We found that bone marrow-derived Ly6C+hi monocytes released from sequestration by the spleen are the source of mononuclear cells infiltrating the TEVG during the acute phase of neovessel formation. Furthermore, short-term administration of losartan (0.6 g/L, 2 wk), an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, significantly reduced the macrophage populations (Ly6C+/-/F480+) in the scaffolds and improved long-term patency in TEVGs. Notably, the combined effect of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell seeding with short-term losartan treatment completely prevented the development of TEVG stenosis. Our results provide support for pharmacologic treatment with losartan as a strategy to modulate monocyte infiltration into the grafts and thus prevent TEVG stenosis.-Ruiz-Rosado, J. D. D., Lee, Y.-U., Mahler, N., Yi, T., Robledo-Avila, F., Martinez-Saucedo, D., Lee, A. Y., Shoji, T., Heuer, E., Yates, A. R., Pober, J. S., Shinoka, T., Partida-Sanchez, S., Breuer, C. K. Angiotensin II receptor I blockade prevents stenosis of tissue engineered vascular grafts.
| S-EPMC6219835 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Advancements in congenital heart surgery have heightened the importance of durable biomaterials for adult survivors. Dystrophic calcification poses a significant risk to the long-term viability of prosthetic biomaterials in these procedures. Herein, we describe the natural history of calcification in the most frequently used vascular conduits, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Through a retrospective clinical study and an ovine model, we compare the degree of calcification between tissue-engineered vascular grafts and polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Results indicate superior durability in tissue-engineered vascular grafts, displaying reduced late-term calcification in both clinical studies (p < 0.001) and animal models (p < 0.0001). Further assessments of graft compliance reveal that tissue-engineered vascular grafts maintain greater compliance (p < 0.0001) and distensibility (p < 0.001) than polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. These properties improve graft hemodynamic performance, as validated through computational fluid dynamics simulations. We demonstrate the promise of tissue engineered vascular grafts, remaining compliant and distensible while resisting long-term calcification, to enhance the long-term success of congenital heart surgeries.
| S-EPMC10928115 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) with the ability to grow and remodel open new perspectives for cardiovascular surgery. Equipping TEVGs with synthetic polymers and biological components provides a good compromise between high structural stability and biological adaptability. However, imaging approaches to control grafts' structural integrity, physiological function, and remodeling during the entire transition between late in vitro maturation and early in vivo engraftment are mandatory for clinical implementation. Thus, a comprehensive molecular imaging concept using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) to monitor textile scaffold resorption, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and endothelial integrity in TEVGs is presented here. Superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (SPION) incorporated in biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers of the TEVGs allow to quantitatively monitor scaffold resorption via MRI both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, ECM formation can be depicted by molecular MRI using elastin- and collagen-targeted probes. Finally, molecular US of αv β3 integrins confirms the absence of endothelial dysfunction; the latter is provocable by TNF-α. In conclusion, the successful employment of noninvasive molecular imaging to longitudinally evaluate TEVGs remodeling is demonstrated. This approach may foster its translation from in vitro quality control assessment to in vivo applications to ensure proper prostheses engraftment.
| S-EPMC8981893 | biostudies-literature
Project description:AimRecent studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into endothelial cells. The effect of shear stress on MSC differentiation is incompletely understood, and most studies have been based on two-dimensional systems. We used a model of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) to investigate the effects of shear stress on MSC differentiation.MethodsMSCs were isolated from canine bone marrow. The TEVG was constructed by seeding MSCs onto poly-epsilon-caprolactone and lactic acid (PCLA) scaffolds and subjecting them to shear stress provided by a pulsatile bioreactor for four days (two days at 1 dyne/cm(2) to 15 dyne/cm(2) and two days at 15 dyne/cm(2)).ResultsShear stress significantly increased the expression of endothelial cell markers, such as platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), VE-cadherin, and CD34, at both the mRNA and protein levels as compared with static control cells. Protein levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and calponin were substantially reduced in shear stress-cultured cells. There was no significant change in the expression of alpha-SMA, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) or calponin at the mRNA level.ConclusionShear stress upregulated the expression of endothelial cell-related markers and downregulated smooth muscle-related markers in canine MSCs. This study may serve as a basis for further investigation of the effects of shear stress on MSC differentiation in TEVGs.
| S-EPMC4002825 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundTissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have the potential to advance the surgical management of infants and children requiring congenital heart surgery by creating functional vascular conduits with growth capacity.MethodsHerein, we used an integrative computational-experimental approach to elucidate the natural history of neovessel formation in a large animal preclinical model; combining an in vitro accelerated degradation study with mechanical testing, large animal implantation studies with in vivo imaging and histology, and data-informed computational growth and remodeling models.ResultsOur findings demonstrate that the structural integrity of the polymeric scaffold is lost over the first 26 weeks in vivo, while polymeric fragments persist for up to 52 weeks. Our models predict that early neotissue accumulation is driven primarily by inflammatory processes in response to the implanted polymeric scaffold, but that turnover becomes progressively mechano-mediated as the scaffold degrades. Using a lamb model, we confirm that early neotissue formation results primarily from the foreign body reaction induced by the scaffold, resulting in an early period of dynamic remodeling characterized by transient TEVG narrowing. As the scaffold degrades, mechano-mediated neotissue remodeling becomes dominant around 26 weeks. After the scaffold degrades completely, the resulting neovessel undergoes growth and remodeling that mimicks native vessel behavior, including biological growth capacity, further supported by fluid-structure interaction simulations providing detailed hemodynamic and wall stress information.ConclusionsThese findings provide insights into TEVG remodeling, and have important implications for clinical use and future development of TEVGs for children with congenital heart disease.
| S-EPMC9053249 | biostudies-literature