AN APPROACH TO A NOVEL VASCULAR GRAFT USING BIOMATERIAL PREPARED FROM ARTERIAL WALL CULTURED WITH VASCULAR CELLS

Abstract

This study was performed with the object of developing a new vascular prosthesis, that has almost the same structure and function as native vessel. Pieces of porcine aorta were treated by various chemicals, distilled water, glutaraldehyde, Dencol, guanidine hydrochloride, or formic acid. Rabbit smooth muscle cells or porcine endothelial cells were cultured with them, and attachment and growth were observed. Arterial pieces treated by glutaraldehyde showed the worst attachment of cells, and the ones treated by formic acid showed the best migration of smooth muscle cells into the walls. Tear stress was tested in all treated pieces. Glutaraldehyde or Denacol treated ones were stronger than fresh arterial walls, the ones treated by guanidine hydrochloride or formic acid were slightly weaker. Porcine smooth muscle cells were first infused into media of arterial wall treated by formic acid in advance, and subsquently endothelial cells were seeded. In this preparation we found that smooth muscle cells were cultured in the elastic laminae and their surfaces were covered with endothelial cells, it was a kind of vascular model similar to native vessel. The possibility of making a vital graft was demonstrated.