Biomimetic cardiovascular stents for in vivo re-endothelialization

The use of cardiovascular stents for rapid in vivo re-endothelialization is a promising strategy for reducing cardiovascular implantation or preventing local thrombus formation and restenosis. Surface-patterned intravascular endoprosthetic stents have been developed to prevent life-threatening complications. In this study, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-biomimetic surface patterns were fabricated on 316L cardiovascular stents using a femtosecond laser and then implanted into the iliac artery of rabbit. The in vitro data revealed that the bionic surface patterns matched the morphology of the VSMCs well, which promotes the adhesion, proliferation, and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, the patterned surfaces can significantly enhance re-endothelialization. Consequently, the surface biomimetic stent with the VSMC surface pattern is likely an effective approach to ensure rapid re-endothelialization and possibly reduce the incidence of in-stent restenosis. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.