Use of Electrospun Phenylalanine/Poly-ε-Caprolactone Chiral Hybrid Scaffolds to Promote Endothelial Remodeling.

Benlin Sun,Binbin Sun,Yanan Zhang,Chuanliang Feng,Lei Hou,Yu Han,Xiaoqiu Dou,Yunqing Zou,Feng Xu,Juexin Huang

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2021.773635

Abstract

The fabrication of tissue-engineered vascular grafts to replace damaged vessels is a promising therapy for cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial remodeling in the lumen of TEVGs is critical for successful revascularization. However, the construction of well-functioning TEVGs remains a fundamental challenge. Herein, chiral hybrid scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning using D/L-phenylalanine based gelators [D(L)PHEG] and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL). The chirality of scaffolds significantly affected the endothelial remodeling progress of TEVGs. Compared with L-phenylalanine based gelators/poly-ε-caprolactone (L/PCL) and PCL, D-phenylalanine based gelators/poly-ε-caprolactone (D/PCL) scaffolds enhanced cell adhesion, and proliferation and upregulated the expression of fibronectin-1, and vinculin. These results suggests that chiral hybrid scaffolds can promote endothelial remodeling of TEVGs by upregulating adhesion-associated protein levels. This study offers an innovative strategy for endothelial remodeling of TEVGs by fabricating chiral hybrid scaffolds, and provides new insight for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Highlights

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality rates in various countries worldwide, and the primary threat to human health globally (Bao et al, 2021)
DPHEG and LPHEG molecules can self-assemble in helical nanofibers in water
The chirality of the hydrogels was characterized by Circular Dichroism (CD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Summary

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality rates in various countries worldwide, and the primary threat to human health globally (Bao et al, 2021). Owing to the risk of cardiovascular diseases, their treatment methods have always been an area of concern. Using autologous blood vessels or artificial blood vessel grafts to replace damaged blood vessels is a promising method used for treatment. The number of blood vessels that can be used as autologous transplants is limited, in patients with cardiovascular diseases (Rayatpisheh et al, 2014; Wang et al, 2020). The use of artificially synthesized blood vessels to replace damaged blood vessels that cannot be regenerated is of great significance in cardiovascular diseases (Badhe et al, 2017).

Methods

Results

Conclusion