Decellularized Scaffold-Based Artificial Vascular Patch for Porcine Vascular Repair

Vascular transplantation is an effective strategy against cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and artificial vascular patches are of urgent need across the world. In this work, we designed a multifunctional decellularized scaffolds (DCS)-based vascular patch for porcine vascular repair. Ammonium phosphate zwitter-ion (APZI) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel were coated on the surface of DCS to improve the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of an artificial vascular patch. Then a heparin (Hep)-loaded metal-organic framework (MOF) further decorated the artificial vascular patches to inhibit blood coagulation and promote vascular endothelialization. The obtained artificial vascular patch showed suitable mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, and blood compatibility. In addition, the proliferation and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on the surface of artificial vascular patch improved a lot when compared with unmodified PVA/DCS. According to the results of B-ultrasound and CT images, the artificial vascular patch could maintain the patency of the implant site after implanting into the pig carotid artery. The current results solidly support that a MOF-Hep/APZI-PVA/DCS vascular patch would be an excellent vascular replacement material.

Automated summary

In this study, a multifunctional decellularized scaffolds (DCS)-based vascular patch with improved mechanical properties and biocompatibility was designed. The surface of the patch was coated with ammonium phosphate zwitter-ion (APZI) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel, followed by the decoration of a heparin (Hep)-loaded metal-organic framework (MOF) to inhibit blood coagulation and promote vascular endothelialization. The obtained artificial vascular patch showed suitable mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, and blood compatibility. It also demonstrated enhanced proliferation and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The results from imaging techniques confirmed the patency of the implanted artificial vascular patch.