Current advances of stem cell-based approaches to tissue-engineered vascular grafts

Abstract

Native vessels are currently the preferred vascular conduits for procedures such as vascular bypass surgery. Artificial vascular grafts have limited applications, particularly for substituting smaller diameter vessels because of the increased incidence of stenosis, inflammatory response and tissue damage. Researches have, therefore, aimed to develop tissue-engineered vascular grafts that can be integrated into the cardiovascular system of patients. Tissue-engineered vascular grafts are expected to mimic the biological effect and mechanical properties of the native vascular tissue, as well as to maintain the long-term vascular repairing potential. The applications of biomaterials in tissue-engineered vascular graft approaches continue to expand at a rapid rate and have provided some clues as to how the design of grafts can be pursued in the future. The combination of stem cells and biomaterials has contributed to trigger tissue-engineered vascular graft remodelling. These grafts have demonstrated the ability to transform into living vascular tissue with repairing potential but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this review, we discuss the current state of the field of tissue-engineered vascular grafts and how the principles of biomaterials or nanobiomaterials are combined with stem cells to aid in the design of novel second-generation vascular grafts.