ANIMAL EXPERIMENT OF THE ENDOTHELIAL SEEDING GRAFT BY FILTRATION METHOD

Abstract

We reported that high density entrapment with dense velour fabrics made of ultrafine polyester fiber could facilitate ECs inoculation too vascular prosthesis. The purpose of this report is in vivo evaluation of the efficacy of this new method of ECs inoculation. High density canine ECs suspension was forced through the ultrafine polyester fabrics of a φ7mm low porosity velour woven graft (130ml/min/cm²). Simultaneously the non-seeded part was made distally by clamping at the midportion in the same graft. After three-day incubation with entrapped ECs, the graft was implanted into the canine abdominal aorta. The grafts were harvested in 2 to 14 days and examined histologically endothelialization and subendothelial structure. In the seeded part there appeared no EC-covering except the limited cellular ingrowth from outside. In the seeded part wide range endothelialization was observed even in a 3-day graft. Besides EC-covering, the inner capsule of the seeded part was rich in microvessels. In the endothelialized area two different regions were distinguishable, that is one with little subendothelial matrix and abundant cell infiltration and another with more subendothelial substance mainly composed of fibrin. In conclusion, ECs inoculated in this method promote very early endothelialization with these new findings.