A fabric reinforced small diameter tubular graft for rabbits’ carotid artery defect

Abstract Tissue engineering small diameter artificial blood vessel is an indispensable graft for repairing extremity arterial injury. Previous researches demonstrated that suitable porosity and matching mechanical properties are two keys for tubular tissue reconstruction. In this study, we fabricated a fabric reinforced small diameter tubular graft (PPTG) from PLGA fabric and three-dimensional porous PEEUU with a structure of the bionic extracellular matrix for transplanting in situ combined braiding and thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). The prepared PPTG presented smooth and dense inner surface, fluffy and porous grafts wall, and tubular PLGA fabric evenly dispersed PEEUU matrix, which provide mechanical support for PPTG. The mechanical tests and hemolysis results showed that PPTG possess matched mechanical properties with autologous blood vessels and stable blood compatibility. Six weeks after rabbits’ carotid artery defect replacement indicated that there were no blockage occurred for PPTG group. Histological staining exhibited positive expression of endothelial cells on the inner surface of PPTG and distinct smooth muscle in the wall of PPTG, which migrated from peripheral tissues and flowing blood. Therefore, this fabric reinforced small diameter tubular graft provides a solution for endothelialization and tissue regeneration and have a potential application in vascular trauma.