Biomimicking Polysaccharide Nanofibers Promote Vascular Phenotypes: A Potential Application for Vascular Tissue Engineering

• Published in: Macromolecular bioscience Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 395 - 401
• Main Authors: Shi, Liya, Aid, Rachida, Le Visage, Catherine, Chew, Sing Yian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01-03-2012; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: Actins - metabolism; Applied sciences; Arteries; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - metabolism; Biomimetic Materials - chemical synthesis; Biomimetic Materials - pharmacology; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Dextrans - chemical synthesis; Dextrans - pharmacology; Elastic Modulus; electrospinning; endothelial cells; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Glucans - chemical synthesis; Glucans - pharmacology; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells - drug effects; Humans; Medical sciences; Nanofibers - chemistry; Nanofibers - ultrastructure; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - metabolism; Polymer industry, paints, wood; pullulan; smooth muscle cells; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Tensile Strength; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds; topography; Biological properties; Cell proliferation; Endothelial cell; Pullulan; Tissue engineering; Electrospinning; Mechanical properties; Nanofiber; Experimental study; Dextran; Morphology; Cell adhesion; Oside polymer; Biocompatibility; Biomaterial; Manufacturing; Framework
• ISSN: 1616-5187; 1616-5195
• DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201100336

The potential of electrospun pullulan/dextran (P/D) nanofibers (average diameter = 323 nm) for vascular tissue engineering applications is explored. The mechanical properties of the nanofibers are of the same order of magnitude as that of human arteries (Young's modulus ≈0.88 MPa; tensile strength ≈0.35 MPa). It is demonstrated that the nanofiber topography enables cell adhesion and that the endothelial phenotype is maintained on the nanofibers. Moreover, P/D nanofibers support a stable confluent monolayer of endothelial cells over 14 d. SMCs seeded on nanofibers display similar levels of alpha smooth muscle actin and a lower proliferation rate than cells on 2D cultures. The observations suggest that nanofibers promote a shift to a quiescent contractile phenotype in SMCs.
The efficacy of pullulan/dextran nanofibers for vascular tissue engineering is studied. P/D nanofiber topography enables EC and SMC attachment. The endothelial phenotype is maintained for at least 14 d. P/D nanofibers support a stable confluent layer of ECs, and the morphology in SMCs suggests that nanofibers promote a shift to a quiescent contractile phenotype.