Impact of electrospun conduit fiber diameter and enclosing pouch pore size on vascular constructs grown within rat peritoneal cavities.

ABSTRACT: The generation of vascular grafts by recruiting autologous cells within the peritoneal cavity has shown promise. However, the microenvironment affects cell differentiation and elastic matrix production. Therefore, this study determined the impact of systematic changes in the average fiber diameter of electrospun poly(ɛ-caprolactone) conduits, and the pore size of pouches used to enclose the conduits, on recruited cells. After 2 weeks in the peritoneal cavity, fibrous capsules formed containing macrophages, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)(+) and SM22α(+) myofibroblastic or smooth muscle like-cells, and what appeared to be mesothelial cells on the outer surfaces. These cells infiltrated and deposited matrix (e.g., collagen, hyaluoronan, and limited elastin) within conduit walls. Constructs enc

SUBMITTER: Bashur CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3589886 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature