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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.
Sec. Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1418259
This article is part of the Research Topic Clinical Translation & Commercialisation of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, Volume II View all 3 articles

Investigating the Efficacy of Uncrosslinked Porcine Collagen Coated Vascular Grafts for Neointima Formation and Endothelialization

Provisionally accepted
Chao Yang Chao Yang 1*Chao Su Chao Su 2*Jie Zou Jie Zou 1*Binru Zhong Binru Zhong 2Lin Wang Lin Wang 1*Bailang Chen Bailang Chen 2Jianmo Li Jianmo Li 1*Minxin Wei Minxin Wei 2*
  • 1 Konee Biomedical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.,, Shenzhen, China
  • 2 Division of Cardiovascular Surgery,Cardiac and Vascular Center,The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This study evaluates the efficacy of uncrosslinked porcine collagen coated vascular grafts (UPCCVG) in facilitating neointima formation and endothelialization. Prior to coating, the uncrosslinked porcine collagen underwent comprehensive characterization employing SDS-PAGE, image analysis, circular dichroism and immunogenicity. The PET substrate of the vascular graft was coated with collagen solution utilizing the dip-coating method. Water permeability, blood leakage resistance, radial compliance, hemolysis, cytotoxicity and cell proliferation of UPCCVG in vitro were studied. Subsequent in vivo evaluation involved the implantation of UPCCVG as a substitute for the porcine abdominal aorta. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was employed to evaluate UPCCVG patency post-implantation, while histology, immunohistochemistry, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to assess neointima formation and endothelialization. The in vivo thrombosis of UPCCVG was analyzed simultaneously to further characterize its blood compatibility. The uncrosslinked collagen demonstrated high purity, maintaining its triple helix structure and molecular weight akin to the type I bovine collagen standard substrate, indicative of preserved biological activity and low immunogenicity. UPCCVG exhibited water permeability, blood leakage resistance, radial compliance and blood compatibility comparable to commercial grafts. DSA revealed satisfactory patency of UPCCVG without evidence of stenosis or swelling at the 3-week post-implantation mark. Histological analysis illustrated well-developed neointima with appropriate thickness and controlled proliferation. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of endothelial cells (VWF positive) and smooth muscle cells (α-SMA positive) within the neointima, indicating successful endothelialization. Moreover, the morphology of the neointima surface closely resembled that of the natural artery tunica intima, oriented along the direction of blood flow. UPCCVG, composed of uncrosslinked porcine collagen, demonstrates promising potential in fostering neointima formation and endothelialization while mitigating intimal hyperplasia. This biocompatible uncrosslinked porcine collagen merits further investigation for its clinical applications in vascular reconstruction.

    Keywords: uncrosslinked collagen, coating, Vascular graft, Neointima, endothelization, Endothelial Cells, Smooth Muscle Cell

    Received: 16 Apr 2024; Accepted: 08 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Yang, Su, Zou, Zhong, Wang, Chen, Li and Wei. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Chao Yang, Konee Biomedical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.,, Shenzhen, China
    Chao Su, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery,Cardiac and Vascular Center,The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
    Jie Zou, Konee Biomedical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.,, Shenzhen, China
    Lin Wang, Konee Biomedical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.,, Shenzhen, China
    Jianmo Li, Konee Biomedical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.,, Shenzhen, China
    Minxin Wei, Division of Cardiovascular Surgery,Cardiac and Vascular Center,The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.