Cameron A. Best

3D-Printed Biodegradable Polymeric Vascular Grafts

Congenital heart defect interventions may benefit from the fabrication of patient-specific vascular grafts because of the wide array of anatomies present in children with cardiovascular defects. 3D printing is used to establish a platform for the production of custom vascular grafts, which are biodegradable, mechanically compatible with vascular tissues, and support neotissue formation and growth.

In vivo applications of electrospun tissue-engineered vascular grafts: a review.

There is great clinical demand for synthetic vascular grafts with improved long-term efficacy. The ideal vascular conduit is easily implanted, nonthrombogenic, biocompatible, resists aneurysmal dilatation, and ultimately degrades or is assimilated as the patient remodels the graft into tissue resembling native vessel. The field of vascular tissue engineering offers an opportunity to design the ideal synthetic graft, and researchers have evaluated a variety of methods and materials for use in graft construction. Electrospinning is one method that has received considerable attention within tissue engineering for constructing so-called tissue scaffolds. Tissue scaffolds are temporary, porous structures which are commonly composed of bioresorbable polymers that promote native tissue ingrowth and have degradation kinetics compatible with a patients rate of extracellular matrix production in order to successfully transit from synthetic conduits into neovessels. In this review, we summarize the history of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVG), focusing on scaffolds generated by the electrospinning process, and discuss in vivo applications. We review the materials commonly employed in this approach and the preliminary results after implantation in animal models in order to gauge clinical viability of the electrospinning process for TEVG construction. Scientists have studied electrospinning technology for decades, but only recently has it been orthotopically evaluated in animal models such as TEVG. Advantages of electrospun TEVG include ease of construction, favorable cellular interactions, control of scaffold features such as fiber diameter and pore size, and the ability to choose from a variety of polymers possessing a range of mechanical and chemical properties and degradation kinetics. Given its advantages, electrospinning technology merits investigation for use in TEVG, but an emphasis on long-term in vivo evaluation is required before its role in clinical vascular tissue engineering can be realized.

Tissue-Engineered Small Diameter Arterial Vascular Grafts from Cell-Free Nanofiber PCL/Chitosan Scaffolds in a Sheep Model

Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have the potential to overcome the issues faced by existing small diameter prosthetic grafts by providing a biodegradable scaffold where the patient’s own cells can engraft and form functional neotissue. However, applying classical approaches to create arterial TEVGs using slow degrading materials with supraphysiological mechanical properties, typically results in limited host cell infiltration, poor remodeling, stenosis, and calcification. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of novel small diameter arterial TEVGs created using fast degrading material. A 1.0mm and 5.0mm diameter TEVGs were fabricated with electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan (CS) blend nanofibers. The 1.0mm TEVGs were implanted in mice (n = 3) as an unseeded infrarenal abdominal aorta interposition conduit., The 5.0mm TEVGs were implanted in sheep (n = 6) as an unseeded carotid artery (CA) interposition conduit. Mice were followed with ultrasound and sacrificed at 6 months. All 1.0mm TEVGs remained patent without evidence of thrombosis or aneurysm formation. Based on small animal outcomes, sheep were followed with ultrasound and sacrificed at 6 months for histological and mechanical analysis. There was no aneurysm formation or calcification in the TEVGs. 4 out of 6 grafts (67%) were patent. After 6 months in vivo, 9.1 ± 5.4% remained of the original scaffold. Histological analysis of patent grafts demonstrated deposition of extracellular matrix constituents including elastin and collagen production, as well as endothelialization and organized contractile smooth muscle cells, similar to that of native CA. The mechanical properties of TEVGs were comparable to native CA. There was a significant positive correlation between TEVG wall thickness and CD68+ macrophage infiltration into the scaffold (R2 = 0.95, p = 0.001). The fast degradation of CS in our novel TEVG promoted excellent cellular infiltration and neotissue formation without calcification or aneurysm. Modulating host macrophage infiltration into the scaffold is a key to reducing excessive neotissue formation and stenosis.

Regenerative implants for cardiovascular tissue engineering.

A fundamental problem that affects the field of cardiovascular surgery is the paucity of autologous tissue available for surgical reconstructive procedures. Although the best results are obtained when an individuals own tissues are used for surgical repair, this is often not possible as a result of pathology of autologous tissues or lack of a compatible replacement source from the body. The use of prosthetics is a popular solution to overcome shortage of autologous tissue, but implantation of these devices comes with an array of additional problems and complications related to biocompatibility. Transplantation offers another option that is widely used but complicated by problems related to rejection and donor organ scarcity. The field of tissue engineering represents a promising new option for replacement surgical procedures. Throughout the years, intensive interdisciplinary, translational research into cardiovascular regenerative implants has been undertaken in an effort to improve surgical outcome and better quality of life for patients with cardiovascular defects. Vascular, valvular, and heart tissue repair are the focus of these efforts. Implants for these neotissues can be divided into 2 groups: biologic and synthetic. These materials are used to facilitate the delivery of cells or drugs to diseased, damaged, or absent tissue. Furthermore, they can function as a tissue-forming device used to enhance the bodys own repair mechanisms. Various preclinical studies and clinical trials using these advances have shown that tissue-engineered materials are a viable option for surgical repair, but require refinement if they are going to reach their clinical potential. With the growth and accomplishments this field has already achieved, meeting those goals in the future should be attainable.

Well-organized neointima of large-pore poly(l-lactic acid) vascular graft coated with poly(l-lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) prevents calcific deposition compared to small-pore electrospun poly(l-lactic acid) graft in a mouse aortic implantation model

OBJECTIVE Tissue engineering techniques have emerged that allow bioresorbable grafts to be implanted that restore function and transform into biologically active arteries. However, these implants are susceptible to calcification during the remodeling process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of pore size of bioabsorbable grafts in the development of calcification. METHODS Two types of grafts were prepared: a large-pore graft constructed of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) fibers coated with poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) (PLA-PLCL), and a small-pore graft made of electrospun PLA nanofibers (PLA-nano). Twenty-eight PLA-PLCL grafts and twenty-five PLA-nano grafts were implanted as infra-renal aortic interposition conduits in 8-week-old female SCID/Bg mice, and followed for 12 months after implantation. RESULTS Large-pore PLA-PLCL grafts induced a well-organized neointima after 12 months, and Alizarin Red S staining showed neointimal calcification only in the thin neointima of small-pore PLA-nano grafts. At 12 months, macrophage infiltration, evaluated by F4/80 staining, was observed in the thin neointima of the PLA-nano graft, and there were few vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in this layer. On the other hand, the neointima of the PLA-PLCL graft was composed of abundant VSMCs, and a lower density of macrophages (F4/80 positive cells, PLA-PLCL; 68.1 ± 41.4/mm(2) vs PLA-nano; 188.3 ± 41.9/mm(2), p = 0.007). The VSMCs of PLA-PLCL graft expressed transcription factors of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that in mouse arterial circulation, large-pore PLA-PLCL grafts created a well-organized neointima and prevented calcific deposition compared to small-pore, electrospun PLA-nano grafts.

The innate immune system contributes to tissue-engineered vascular graft performance

The first clinical trial of tissue‐engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) identified stenosis as the primary cause of graft failure. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of the host immune response in the development of stenosis using a murine model of TEVG implantation. We found that the C.B‐17 wild‐type (WT) mouse (control) undergoes a dramatic stenotic response, which is nearly completely abolished in the immunodeficient SCID/beige (bg) variant. SCID mice, which lack an adaptive immune system due to the absence of T and B lymphocytes, experienced rates of stenosis comparable to WT controls (average luminal diameter, WT: 0.071 ± 0.035 mm, SCID: 0.137 ± 0.032 mm, SCID/bg:0.804 ± 0.039 mm; P< 0.001). The bg mutation is characterized by NK cell and platelet dysfunction, and systemic treatment of WT mice with either NK cell‐neutralizing (anti‐NK 1.1 antibody) or antiplatelet (aspirin/Plavix [clopidogrel bisulfate]; Asp/Pla) therapy achieved nearly half the patency observed in the SCID/bg mouse (NK Ab: 0.356 ± 0.151 mm, Asp/Pla: 0.452 ± 0.130 mm). Scaffold implantation elicited a blunted immune response in SCID/bg mice, as demonstrated by macrophage number and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines in TEVG explants. Implicating the initial innate immune response as a critical factor in graft stenosis may provide a strategy for prognosis and therapy of second‐generation TEVGs.—Hibino, N., Mejias, D., Pietris, N., Dean, E., Yi, T., Best, C., Shinoka, T., Breuer, C. The innate immune system contributes to tissue‐engineered vascular graft performance. FASEB J. 29, 2431‐2438 (2015). www.fasebj.org

Preclinical study of patient-specific cell-free nanofiber tissue-engineered vascular grafts using 3-dimensional printing in a sheep model

Background: Tissue‐engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) offer potential to overcome limitations of current approaches for reconstruction in congenital heart disease by providing biodegradable scaffolds on which autologous cells proliferate and provide physiologic functionality. However, current TEVGs do not address the diverse anatomic requirements of individual patients. This study explores the feasibility of creating patient‐specific TEVGs by combining 3‐dimensional (3D) printing and electrospinning technology. Methods: An electrospinning mandrel was 3D‐printed after computer‐aided design based on preoperative imaging of the ovine thoracic inferior vena cava (IVC). TEVG scaffolds were then electrospun around the 3D‐printed mandrel. Six patient‐specific TEVGs were implanted as cell‐free IVC interposition conduits in a sheep model and explanted after 6 months for histologic, biochemical, and biomechanical evaluation. Results: All sheep survived without complications, and all grafts were patent without aneurysm formation or ectopic calcification. Serial angiography revealed significant decreases in TEVG pressure gradients between 3 and 6 months as the grafts remodeled. At explant, the nanofiber scaffold was nearly completely resorbed and the TEVG showed similar mechanical properties to that of native IVC. Histological analysis demonstrated an organized smooth muscle cell layer, extracellular matrix deposition, and endothelialization. No significant difference in elastin and collagen content between the TEVG and native IVC was identified. There was a significant positive correlation between wall thickness and CD68+ macrophage infiltration into the TEVG. Conclusions: Creation of patient‐specific nanofiber TEVGs by combining electrospinning and 3D printing is a feasible technology as future clinical option. Further preclinical studies involving more complex anatomical shapes are warranted.

Rational design of an improved tissue-engineered vascular graft: determining the optimal cell dose and incubation time

AIM We investigated the effect of cell seeding dose and incubation time on tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) patency. MATERIALS & METHODS Various doses of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) were seeded onto TEVGs, incubated for 0 or 12 h, and implanted in C57BL/6 mice. Different doses of human BM-MNCs were seeded onto TEVGs and measured for cell attachment. RESULTS The incubation time showed no significant effect on TEVG patency. However, TEVG patency was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. In the human graft, more bone marrow used for seeding resulted in increased cell attachment in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION Increasing the BM-MNC dose and reducing incubation time is a viable strategy for improving the performance and utility of the graft.

TGF-β receptor 1 inhibition prevents stenosis of tissue-engineered vascular grafts by reducing host mononuclear phagocyte activation

Stenosis is a critical problem in the long‐term efficacy of tissue‐engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs). We previously showed that host monocyte infiltration and activation within the graft drives stenosis and that TGF‐β receptor 1 (TGF‐βR1) inhibition can prevent it, but the latter effect was attributed primarily to inhibition of mesenchymal cell expansion. In this study, we assessed the effects of TGF‐βR1 inhibition on the host monocytes. Biodegradable TEVGs were implanted as inferior vena cava interposition conduits in 2 groups of C57BL/6 mice (n = 25/group): unseeded grafts and unseeded grafts with TGF‐βR1 inhibitor systemic treatment for the first 2 wk. The TGF‐βR1 inhibitor treatment effectively improved TEVG patency at 6 mo compared to the untreated control group (91.7 vs. 48%, P < 0.001), which is associated with a reduction in classic activation of mononuclear phagocytes. Consistent with these findings, the addition of rTGF‐β to LPS/IFN‐γ‐stimulated monocytes enhanced secretion of inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐12, and IL‐6; this effect was blocked by TGF‐βR1 inhibition (P < 0.0001). These findings suggest that the TGF‐β signaling pathway contributes to TEVG stenosis by inducing classic activation of host monocytes. Furthermore, blocking monocyte activation by TGF‐βR1 inhibition provides a viable strategy for preventing TEVG stenosis while maintaining neotissue formation.—Lee, Y.‐U., de Dios Ruiz‐Rosado, J., Mahler, N., Best, C. A., Tara, S., Yi, T., Shoji, T., Sugiura, T., Lee, A. Y., Robledo‐Avila, F., Hibino, N., Pober, J. S., Shinoka, T., Partida‐Sanchez, S., Breuer, C. K. TGF‐β receptor 1 inhibition prevents stenosis of tissue‐engineered vascular grafts by reducing host mononuclear phagocyte activation. FASEB J. 30, 2627‐2636 (2016). www.fasebj.org

Cilostazol, Not Aspirin, Prevents Stenosis of Bioresorbable Vascular Grafts in a Venous Model

Objective—Despite successful translation of bioresorbable vascular grafts for the repair of congenital heart disease, stenosis remains the primary cause of graft failure. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of long-term treatment with the antiplatelet drugs, aspirin and cilostazol, in preventing stenosis and evaluated the effect of these drugs on the acute phase of inflammation and tissue remodeling. Approach and Results—C57BL/6 mice were fed a drug-mixed diet of aspirin, cilostazol, or normal chow during the course of follow-up. Bioresorbable vascular grafts, composed of poly(glycolic acid) mesh sealed with poly(l-lactide-co-&egr;-caprolactone), were implanted as inferior vena cava interposition conduits and followed up for 2 weeks (n=10 per group) or 24 weeks (n=15 per group). Both aspirin and cilostazol suppressed platelet activation and attachment onto the grafts. On explant at 24 weeks, well-organized neotissue had developed, and cilostazol treatment resulted in 100% graft patency followed by the aspirin (67%) and no-treatment (60%) groups (P<0.05). Wall thickness and smooth muscle cell proliferation in the neotissue of the cilostazol group were decreased when compared with that of the no-treatment group at 24 weeks. In addition, cilostazol was shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on neotissue at 2 weeks by regulating the recruitment and activation of monocytes. Conclusions—Cilostazol prevents stenosis of bioresorbable vascular graft in a mouse inferior vena cava implantation model up to 24 weeks and is accompanied by reduction of smooth muscle cell proliferation and acute inflammation.