EPTFE COATING WITH FIBRIN GLUE, FGF-1, AND HEPARIN - EFFECT ON RETENTION OF SEEDED ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

In an attempt to improve the resistance of seeded endothelial cell (FC ) to desquamation due to shear stress, we evaluated the effect of coat ing expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts with fibrin glue ( FG) containing fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) and heparin on the r etention of EC exposed to pulsatile how ex vivo. Five pairs of ePTFE g rafts (30 mu m internodal distance, 4 mm internal diameter, 7 cm long) were coated with either FG/FGF-1/heparin (fibrinogen 32.1 mg/ml, thro mbin 0.32 U/ml, FGF-1 11 ng/ml, heparin 250 U/ml) or fibronectin (FN) (20 mu g/ml). Canine jugular vein endothelial cells (Factor VIII+, pas sages 5-7), were radiolabeled with indium-111 (100 mu Ci/l million cel ls). Cell seeding (3 X 10(5) cells/cm(2)) was achieved by four success ive inoculations of cells separated by 90 degrees graft rotations. Aft er overnight incubation (37 degrees C), pairs of FG and FN grafts (5 c m long) were simultaneously perfused ex vivo with culture media contai ning 10% fetal bovine serum (120/80 mm Hg, 90 cc/min, min, 60 pulsatio ns/min). During the 1-hr perfusion, perfusate samples were taken at 0, 5, 15, 30, and 60 min to determine radioactivity loss. Pre- and postp erfusion whole graft radioactivity data were compared to estimate cell retention and confirmed by histologic evaluation. Mean adherent radio activity on FG-coated grafts (96 +/- 5%) was significantly higher (P = 0.0029, Student's t test) than on FN-coated grafts (85 +/- 3%). Maxim um radioactivity loss in perfusate was seen after 5 min, with lower su stained loss thereafter. The improved retention of seeded EC on ePTFE grafts coated with FG containing FGF-1 and heparin compared to FN will need to be confirmed for longer durations of perfusion and using in v ivo models. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.