STEMCEDIF · Polymeric cell-laden vascular graft for blood vessel mimicking in tissue engineering applications

Polymeric cell-laden vascular graft for blood vessel mimicking in tissue engineering applications

The main goal of the project is to design and fabricate the polymer-based 3D bioprinted cell-laden vascular grafts (CLVG) with certain physical morphology (patterns), and biological properties. The project focuses on the development of biomaterials and a method for vascular grafts fabrication that would be useful for vascular tissue engineering. Cardiovascular diseases, responsible for 17.9 million fatalities annually, constitute the leading cause of death worldwide. Bypass surgeries using autologous vessels are the preferred method to restore proper blood flow, but their availability is limited, and they may fail due to thrombosis and other complications. Allografts face rejection issues, prompting the development of synthetic grafts which are used for large artery repairs. Despite their efficacy, synthetic grafts are stiff and less effective for smaller arteries. The standard approach for the treatment of large vessels diseases like aneurysms involves the use of synthetic grafts, considered the gold standard in the treatment of adults. However, this approach is not suitable for pediatric patients due to the inability of autologous and synthetic grafts to grow and remodel, resulting in the need for multiple reoperations. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells can overcome a limitation in vascular tissue engineering by providing patient-derived cells. Tissue engineering offers a promising solution, involving the creation of vascular grafts using biodegradable scaffolds and patient-specific cells, resulting in the formation of native-like tissue. In order to produce scaffolds for tissue engineering, 3D printing technology is one of the most promising methods. However, the generation of biocompatible, stable and low-cost scaffolds material for tissue regeneration remains a big challenge. Naturally derived polymers, such as collagen type I or gelatin exhibit the beneficial biological properties of high biocompatibility, however poor structural stability and mechanical properties. On the other hand addition of synthetic polymers can significantly improve the stability and mechanical properties of scaffolds.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union