Tissue engineering of vascular grafts: human cell seeding of decellularised porcine matrix.

OBJECTIVES To develop a biocompatible and mechanically stable vascular graft combining human cells and a xenogenic acellular matrix. DESIGN/MATERIALS: Decellularised matrix tubes were obtained by enzymatic cell extraction of native porcine aortas. Endothelial cells and myofibroblasts were isolated from human saphenous veins and grown in cell cultures. The inner surface of the tubes was seeded with endothelial cells or myofibroblasts and exposed to pulsatile flow. RESULTS After cell extraction, the absence of cellular components, as well as the maintenance of matrix integrity, was demonstrated by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the porcine matrix was successfully seeded with human endothelial cells, which grew to a monolayer under flow conditions. Stable biomechanical properties were achieved at physiological perfusion pressures in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Cellular components can be extracted from native porcine blood vessels. Vascular grafts can be generated in vitro of animal acellular matrix and human cells.