Rapid Regeneration of a Neoartery with Elastic Lamellae

Here (from researchers at the University of Sydney), the development of a novel electrospun small-diameter vascular graft that facilitates de novo formation of a structurally appropriate elastin-containing intima-media region following implantation is described. The graft comprises a non-porous microstructure characterized by tropoelastin fibers that are embedded in a PGS matrix. After implantation in mouse abdominal aorta, the graft develops distinct cell and extracellular matrix profiles that approximate the native adventitia and intima-media by 8 weeks. Within the newly formed intima-media region there are circumferentially aligned smooth muscle cell layers that alternate with multiple EL similar to that found in the arterial wall. By 8 months, the developed adventitia region contains mature collagen fibrils and the neoartery presents a distinct Internal Elastic Lamina, IEL) with thickness comparable to that in mouse abdominal aorta. It is proposed that this new class of material can generate the critically required, organized elastin needed for arterial regeneration.”  MORE

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