Rapid vascularization of tissue-engineered vascular grafts in vivo by endothelial cells in co-culture with smooth muscle cells

A major challenge facing the development of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs), promising living replacements for diseased vascular structures, is enhancing angiogenesis. To promote rapid vascularization, endothelial cells (ECs) were co-cultured with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in decellularized small intestinal submucosa scaffolds to regenerate angiogenic-TEVGs (A-TEVGs). Observation of the A-TEVGs at 1 month post-implantation revealed that a rich network of neocapillaries lining the blood vessel wall had developed; that the ECs of the neovasculatures had been derived from previously seeded ECs and later invading ECs of the host’s vascular bed; that tissue vascularization had not significantly impaired mechanical properties; and that the maximal tensile strength of the A-TEVGs was of the same order of magnitude as that of native porcine femoral arteries. These results indicate that of the co-culturing of ECs with SMCs could enhance vascularization of TEVGs in vivo, possibly increasing graft perfusion and host integration.