Mechanical properties and compositions of tissue engineered and nativearteries
Dahl,SL; Rhim,C; Song,YC; Niklason,LE
Abstract With the goal of mimicking the mechanical properties of a given nativetissue, tissue engineers seek to culture replacement tissues with compositions similar to those ofnative tissues. In this report, differences between the mechanical properties of engineered arteriesand native arteries were correlated with differences in tissue composition. Engineered arteriesfailed to match the strengths or compliances of native tissues. Lower strengths of engineeredarteries resulted partially from inferior organization of collagen, but not from differences incollagen density. Furthermore, ultimate strengths of engineered vessels were significantly reducedby the presence of residual polyglycolic acid polymer fragments, which caused stress concentrationsin the vessel wall. Lower compliances of engineered vessels resulted from minimal smooth muscle cellcontractility and a lack of organized extracellular elastin. Organization of elastin and collagenin engineered arteries may have been partially hindered by high concentrations of sulfatedglycosaminoglycans. Tissue engineers should continue to regulate cell phenotype and promotesynthesis of proteins that are known to dominate the mechanical properties of the associated nativetissue. However, we should also be aware of the potential negative impacts of polymer fragments andglycosaminoglycans on the mechanical properties of engineered tissues.
Keywords Arteries
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
0090-6964, Volume 35, Issue 3, 2007, Pages 3-355
