Scaffolds in vascular regeneration: current status

• Published in: Vascular health and risk management Vol. 11; no. default; pp. 79 - 91
• Main Authors: Thottappillil, Neelima, Nair, Prabha D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01-01-2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Animals; Biodegradation; Biomechanics; Biomedical materials; Bioprosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation - instrumentation; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation - methods; Blood Vessels - metabolism; Blood Vessels - pathology; Blood Vessels - physiopathology; Cardiovascular disease; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Circulatory system; Collagen; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Heparan sulfate; Humans; Innovations; Medical research; Physiological aspects; Polymer blends; Polymers - chemistry; Prostheses; Prosthesis Design; Regeneration; Regeneration (Biology); Regenerative Medicine - methods; Review; Tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue Scaffolds; scaffold; vascular regeneration; in vivo
• DOI: 10.2147/VHRM.S50536
• EISSN: 1178-2048
• ISSN: 1178-2048; 1176-6344

An ideal vascular substitute, especially in <6 mm diameter applications, is a major clinical essentiality in blood vessel replacement surgery. Blood vessels are structurally complex and functionally dynamic tissue, with minimal regeneration potential. These have composite extracellular matrix (ECM) and arrangement. The interplay between ECM components and tissue specific cells gives blood vessels their specialized functional attributes. The core of vascular tissue engineering and regeneration relies on the challenges in creating vascular conduits that match native vessels and adequately regenerate in vivo. Out of numerous vascular regeneration concerns, the relevance of ECM emphasizes much attention toward appropriate choice of scaffold material and further scaffold development strategies. The review is intended to be focused on the various approaches of scaffold materials currently in use in vascular regeneration and current state of the art. Scaffold of choice in vascular tissue engineering ranges from natural to synthetic, decellularized, and even scaffold free approach. The applicability of tubular scaffold for in vivo vascular regeneration is under active investigation. A patent conduit with an ample endothelial luminal layer that can regenerate in vivo remains an unanswered query in the field of small diameter vascular tissue engineering. Besides, scaffolds developed for vascular regeneration, should aim at providing functional substitutes for use in a regenerative approach from the laboratory bench to patient bedside.