Tissue-engineered heart valve leaflets: an effective method for seeding autologous cells on scaffolds

Background. A precondition for the successful formation of tissue-engineere d heart valves is the generation of a proper matrix on biodegradable scaffo lds over a limited period of time. The aim of this study was to find an eff ective method of seeding autologous cells on these scaffolds to create a ne w matrix for heart valves. Methods. Myofibroblasts and endothelial cells were isolated and cultured fr om an ovine artery A synthetic biodegradable scaffold consisting of polygly colic and polylactic acids was seeded first with the myofibroblasts, then c oated with endothelial cells. Three different methods of myofibroblast seed ing were compared: I) daily seeding of myofibroblasts (1x10(6)) for ten day s and culture for four days; II) seeding of myofibroblasts (1x10(7)) and cu lture for 14 days with the use of a simple medium; III) seeding of myofibro blasts (1x10(7)) with the use of a medium containing collagen and culture f or 14 days. Light and electron microscopic analyses were performed. Results. The group that used the medium containing collagen showed the best results in terms of seeding efficiency. Conclusion. Seeding autologous cells with a medium containing collagen onto the scaffold showed the largest cell population and might generate the bes t matrix on the scaffold.