Programmed Shape‐Morphing Scaffolds Enabling Facile 3D Endothelialization

Abstract

AbstractRapid formation of a confluent endothelial monolayer is the key to the success of small‐diameter vascular grafts, which is significantly important for treating dangerous and even sometimes deadly vascular disorders. However, the difficulty to homogenously locate endothelial cells onto the lumen of small‐diameter tubular scaffolds makes 3D endothelialization greatly challenging. Here, novel shape‐morphing scaffolds enabling programmed deformation from planar shapes to small‐diameter tubular shapes are designed and developed by combining biocompatible shape memory polymer and electrospun nanofibrous membrane. Endothelial cells can be conveniently seeded and attached on the 2D surface of the scaffolds and subsequently self‐rolled into 3D organization at physiological temperature. Endothelial cell responses and functions are varied on the shape‐morphing scaffolds with different nanofibrous electrospun membranes as the inner layer, arisen from the inducement of scaffolds with different morphological, physical, and biochemical characteristics. Owing to excellent properties of the nanofibrous membrane fabricated by the coelectrospinning of poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), the shape‐morphing scaffolds with a nanofibrous PCL/GelMA inner layer support desirable homogeneous endothelial cell attachment as well as the rapid formation of biomimetic cell–scaffold interaction and cell–cell interaction under the 3D cell culture condition, therefore offering a visible approach for facile 3D endothelialization.