A wide variety of techniques have been explored to synthesize small diameter tissue engineered blood vessels. Toward this end, we are exploring direct cell seeding and culture on tubular mandrels to create engineered vascular tissues. In the present study, v-shaped channels cast from polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) were used as cell seeding wells. Fibrin microthreads placed in the chamber were used as model tubular seeding mandrels. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were seeded onto fibrin microthreads in v-shaped channels for 4 hours. Cell attachment to the microthreads was confirmed visually by Hoechst nuclear staining and a cell quantification assay showed that 5,114 ± 339 cells attached per 1 cm fibrin microthread sample (n = 6). Fibrin microthreads were completely degraded by hMSCs within 5 days of culture, therefore UV crosslinking was used to increase their mechanical strength and prolong the amount of time cells could be cultured on fibrin microthreads and generate tubular tissue constructs. Cell attachment was unaffected on UV-crosslinked microthreads compared to uncrosslinked microthreads, resulting in a count of 4,944 ± 210 cells per 1 cm of fibrin microthread sample (n = 3). Long term culture of the hMSCs on the UV-crosslinked fibrin microthreads showed an increase in cell number over time to 11,198 ± 582 cells per cm of microthread after 7 days with 92% cell viability (CYQUANT NF/DEAD staining) and evidence of cell proliferation. The results show that the v-well cell seeding technique was effective in promoting rapid hMSC attachment on UV-crosslinked fibrin microthreads and encouraged their growth, maintained viability and also promoted their proliferation over the culture period. In conclusion, the technique could serve as an efficient model system for rapid formation of tissue engineered vascular grafts.

Creator

• Parekh, Darshan P

Contributors

• Pins, George D.
• Gaudette, Glenn
• Rolle, Marsha Whitney

Degree

• MS

Unit

• Biomedical Engineering

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Language

• English

Identifier

• etd-050510-114009

Keyword

• UV crosslinking
• Cell seeding
• fibrin microthreads
• v well seeding
• mesencymal stem cells

Advisor

• Rolle, Marsha Whitney

Committee

• Pins, George D.
• Gaudette, Glenn R.

Defense date

• 2010-04-14

Year

• 2010

Date created

• 2010-05-05

Resource type

• Thesis

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-02-02