Abstract
We report that high density cell inoculation can be achieved by forcing endothelial cell (EC) suspension through ultrafine polyester fabrics (Filtration method). The purpose of this report is histological evaluation of the efficacy of this method. In addition, we will report here the preliminary results of mixed-seeding of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and ECs with this method. Canine ECs and SMCs were enzymatically harvested from jugular vein and cultured. These cells were seeded on 7 mm ID low porosity velour woven graft made of ultrafine polyester fiber with filtration method. On 11 grafts, only ECs were inoculated and on another 2 grafts ECs and SMCs were seeded using mixed cell suspension. The proximal portions of these grafts were kept unseeded for the control. After 3-day incubation period, these grafts were interposed into the abdominal aorta of the dog from which ECs and SMCs had been harvested. EC-seeded grafts were harvested 2 to 14 days after implantation. Mixed-seeded grafts were harvested at 7th-postoperative day. In the control portion, only limited EC ingrowth was observed at the border to the seeded part or at the anastomosis. In the EC-seeded part, wide-range endothelialization was observed after three days. Many microvessel formations were observed under EC monolayer. In the Mixed seeded area, EC-like cell monolayer was observed on the wide range but under the monolayer, SMCs-multilayer structure which mainly oriented circumferentially and microvascular formation were also observed. In conclusion, cells inoculated in this method could tolerate to the arterial flow and promote cellular rearrangement including early endothelialization, microvascular formation and multilayer of SMCs.
