2,5-Dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyfuran crosslinked silk-chitosan blend tubular construct for vascular graft application

Abstract

The doctrine of vascular tissue engineering guides through the fabrication of biopolymer based vascular scaffolds in this study with favorable hemocompatibility, biological interaction and degradation profile as the decisive factors for polymer selection and processing.2,5-Dihydro-2,5-dimethoxyfuran (DMDF) cross-linked porous tubular scaffolds were fabricated from Silk fibroin and Chitosan blend. The scaffolds were then subjected to structural, mechanical and chemical analysis followed by in vitro seeding of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and immunolabeling for endothelial differentiation markers. Animal studies were performed to elucidate biocompatibility and in vivo degradation profile.Nano-indentation profiling shows decreased displacement in cross-linked samples resulting from the increased rigidity when compared to uncross-linked ones. In vitro cell seeding shows hMSC differentiation into endothelial cell like lineage with positive immunocytochemical profiling for PECAM-1 and von Willebrand factor. Promising haemocompatibility and bio compatibility on in vivo implantation was noticed. Histological studies revealed minimal inflammatory reaction and favorable tissue remodelling with the gradual replacement of the scaffold.Silk-Chitosan blend, as a potential alternative to existing biopolymers for blood vessel engineering, offers ample mechanical properties along with promising biocompatibility. Primary in vitro and in vivo studies warrant elaborative long term assessment for intended application.