Shear stress responses of adult blood outgrowth endothelial cells seeded on bioartificial tissue.

Human blood outgrowth endothelial cells (HBOECs) are expanded from circulating endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood and thus could provide a source of autologous endothelial cells for tissue-engineered vascular grafts. To examine the suitability of adult HBOECs for use in vascular tissue engineering, the shear stress responsiveness of these cells was examined on bioartificial tissue formed from dermal fibroblasts entrapped in tubular fibrin gels. HBOECs adhered to this surface, deposited collagen IV and laminin, and remained adherent when exposed to 15 dyn/cm(2) shear stress for 24 h.

Fibrin degradation enhances vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and matrix deposition in fibrin-based tissue constructs fabricated in vitro.

Completely biological tissue replacements can be fabricated by entrapping cells in a molded fibrin gel. Over time, the fibrin is degraded and replaced with cell-produced extracellular matrix. However, the relationship between fibrin degradation and matrix deposition has not been elucidated.