Smart Stent coatings release drugs to help healing

Stent engineers at North Carolina State University have “ made a new kind of coating that contains exosomes, tiny sacs that are excreted by all cell types to help them send “messages.” The exosomes help in three different ways – firstly, because they’re similar to cell membranes, the immune system doesn’t recognize them as foreign, preventing an inflammatory response. They also encourage endothelial cells to proliferate on the stent surface. And as an added bonus, they can even pitch in and promote tissue repair in case of injury.”   MORE

Image Credit:  Cheng Lab and NewAtlas.com