Enhancing endothelialisation of artifi cial/engineered blood vessels using structural cues

Abstract

There is a clinical need for the replacement or repair of damaged and diseased blood vessels; hence, artificial materials are engineered to form replacement tissue analogues. In order to achieve functionality of these grafts, the process of endothelialisation is required. This forms a natural confluent barrier between the artificial substrate and the contacting blood flow, preventing immune responses, plaque formation or stenosis. Endothelialisation is a difficult vascular biology technique to achieve; this chapter focuses on the use of structural cues from the underlying material to enhance the functionality of the engineered vessel. We introduce the use of artificial vessels, describe the importance of the endothelialisation process and explain the options to achieve this. Methodologies to examine the effects of these structures upon the endothelial cell responses are detailed, including microscopy, image analysis, and staining for cell marker expression of endothelial cell-material samples. A focus on the use of electrospinning combined with these techniques, and sample results, is also provided.