M. Remy et al., ENDOTHELIAL-CELL COMPATIBILITY TESTING OF VARIOUS PROSTHETIC SURFACES, Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 5(11), 1994, pp. 808-812
Numerous methods are proposed to reduce the surface thrombogenicity of
vascular prostheses, among them endothelialization of the lumen which
has had clinical application since 1985. One of the problems is to co
llect enough cells to rapidly obtain a complete monolayer at the time
of implantation. Thus, material improvements are necessary to enhance
cell adhesion and spreading. A collaboration with the Bakoulev Institu
te (Moscow) gave us the opportunity to study the cytocompatibility of
carbon coated materials (PAN and Vitlan(R)), polyester coated with alb
umin and/or synthetic polysaccharide. Studies were carried out with cu
ltured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Two steps are d
istinguished: indirect tests (medium added with materials extracts), t
hen direct tests (cells directly seeded onto materials). Neither PAN,
Vitlan(R) nor polyesters extracts have provoked a toxic effect on HUVE
C. Concerning attachment on materials, a maximum of 60% of seeded cell
s is reached. Cells could proliferate and confluency is obtained betwe
en days 5 and 10 for the best materials. SEM corroborated these result
s. On polysaccharide-coated polyester (M. 11), HUVEC produced signific
ant levels of vWF after thrombin stimulation (ELISA assay): vWF was fu
nctional (ristocetin cofactor activity). In conclusion, PAN and M. 11
gave encouraging results and further studies remain to be investigated
.