Coronary artery and peripheral vascular diseases are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Vascular bypass can be performed with autologous or synthetic grafts. Although both approaches can be used in the treatment of large diameter vessels, less than 50% of small diameter grafts remain patent 5 years after implantation. A possible solution could be offered by vascular tissue engineering. Blood vessels are composed of three concentric layers: the tunica intima, composed of endothelial cells, that inhibits platelet activation and prevents thrombus formation; the tunica media, composed of concentrically organized smooth muscle cells and separated from the tunica intima by an internal elastic lamina; the tunica adventitia, made of fibroblast cells surrounded by extracellular matrix with a high content of collagen. The aim of this work was the production of a small diameter tubular scaffolds, based on a blend of gelatin, gellan and elastin, in order to mimic the chemical composition of native vessels. A double functionalization with signalling peptides was then performed on the scaffolds, with the aim to promote the regeneration of blood vessels with the same cell organization of the native ones.
Design and characterization of bi-functionalized scaffolds for blood vessels tissues
ROSELLINI, ELISABETTA;CASCONE, MARIA GRAZIA;LAZZERI, LUIGI;CRISTALLINI, CATERINA;BARBANI, NICCOLETTA
2013-01-01
Abstract
Coronary artery and peripheral vascular diseases are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Vascular bypass can be performed with autologous or synthetic grafts. Although both approaches can be used in the treatment of large diameter vessels, less than 50% of small diameter grafts remain patent 5 years after implantation. A possible solution could be offered by vascular tissue engineering. Blood vessels are composed of three concentric layers: the tunica intima, composed of endothelial cells, that inhibits platelet activation and prevents thrombus formation; the tunica media, composed of concentrically organized smooth muscle cells and separated from the tunica intima by an internal elastic lamina; the tunica adventitia, made of fibroblast cells surrounded by extracellular matrix with a high content of collagen. The aim of this work was the production of a small diameter tubular scaffolds, based on a blend of gelatin, gellan and elastin, in order to mimic the chemical composition of native vessels. A double functionalization with signalling peptides was then performed on the scaffolds, with the aim to promote the regeneration of blood vessels with the same cell organization of the native ones.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
