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Tissue engineering of acellular vascular grafts capable of somatic growth in young lambs

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Listed:
  • Zeeshan Syedain

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Jay Reimer

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Matthew Lahti

    (Experimental Surgical Services, University of Minnesota)

  • James Berry

    (Experimental Surgical Services, University of Minnesota)

  • Sandra Johnson

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Richard Bianco

    (Experimental Surgical Services, University of Minnesota)

  • Robert T. Tranquillo

    (University of Minnesota
    University of Minnesota)

Abstract

Treatment of congenital heart defects in children requiring right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction typically involves multiple open-heart surgeries because all existing graft materials have no growth potential. Here we present an ‘off-the-shelf’ vascular graft grown from donor fibroblasts in a fibrin gel to address this critical unmet need. In a proof-of-concept study, the decellularized grafts are implanted as a pulmonary artery replacement in three young lambs and evaluated to adulthood. Longitudinal ultrasounds document dimensional growth of the grafts. The lambs show normal growth, increasing body weight by 366% and graft diameter and volume by 56% and 216%, respectively. Explanted grafts display physiological strength and stiffness, complete lumen endothelialization and extensive population by mature smooth muscle cells. The grafts also show substantial elastin deposition and a 465% increase in collagen content, without signs of calcification, aneurysm or stenosis. Collectively, our data support somatic growth of this completely biological graft.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeeshan Syedain & Jay Reimer & Matthew Lahti & James Berry & Sandra Johnson & Richard Bianco & Robert T. Tranquillo, 2016. "Tissue engineering of acellular vascular grafts capable of somatic growth in young lambs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12951
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12951
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