PARAMETERS OF ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION ARE DEPENDENT ON POLYMERIC SURFACE MATERIAL

Although the first generation of drug-eluting stents have revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease in terms of reduction of in-stent-restenosis, there is increasing evidence that the applied surface polymer coatings could be responsible for adverse effects like delayed healing, late stent-thrombosis, local hypersensitivity reaction and remaining in-stent restenosis. Biodegradable polymers are hence investigated. However, tissue response to these materials in terms of vessel healing, inflammation and biocompatibility is not described in detail yet. In this context, the present study was designed to investigate endothelial cell function on biodegradable polymers using human endothelial cells applied to an in vitro flow chamber model with laminar shear stress exposure. Our data demonstrate a material dependent endothelial cell function.