Heparin-Modified Small-Diameter Nanofibrous Vascular Grafts PROJECT TITLE :Heparin-Modified Small-Diameter Nanofibrous Vascular GraftsABSTRACT:Due to high incidence of vascular bypass procedures, an unmet need for suitable vessel replacements exists, especially for small-diameter (<;6 mm) vascular grafts. Here we produced 1-mm diameter vascular grafts with nanofibrous structure via electrospinning, and successfully modified the nanofibers by the conjugation of heparin using di-amino-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a linker. Antithrombogenic activity of these heparin-modified scaffolds was confirmed in vitro. After 1 month implantation using a rat common carotid artery bypass model, heparin-modified grafts exhibited 85.7% patency, versus 57.1% patency of PEGylated grafts and 42.9% patency of untreated grafts. Post-explant analysis of patent grafts showed complete endothelialization of the lumen and neovascularization around the graft. Smooth muscle cells were found in the surrounding neo-tissue. In addition, greater cell infiltration was observed in heparin-modified grafts. These findings suggest heparin modification may play multiple roles in the function and remodeling of nanofibrous vascular grafts, by preventing thrombosis and maintaining patency, and by promoting cell infiltration into the three-dimensional nanofibrous structure for remodeling. Did you like this research project? To get this research project Guidelines, Training and Code... Click Here facebook twitter google+ linkedin stumble pinterest Nerve Growth Factor-Immobilized Electrically Conducting Fibrous Scaffolds for Potential Use in Neural Engineering Applications Quantitative Analysis of the Combined Effect of Substrate Rigidity and Topographic Guidance on Cell Morphology
