[Surface modification of RGD peptides onto acellularized porcine aortic valve to promote cell adhesion].

Objective: To investigate the impact of RGD peptides on cell adhesion to acellularized procine aortic valve.

Methods: The acellular porcine aorta valve (APAV) was prepared by removing the cells and cellular components from porcine aortic valve using trypsin and hyposmosis TritonX-100. With the help of epoxy chloropropane (EC), the decelluarized valve scaffolds were immobilized with YGRGDSP peptide. MFBs were seeded onto four groups [acellularized value (AV) group, EC group, glutaraldehyde+EC (GE) group and EC+ RGD group or GE+RGD group] of coupled, coated and untreated decelluarized valve scaffolds. Ninhydrin reaction, cell count and fluorescent imaging test were employed to examine the efficiency of cell adhesion.

Results: More cells were attached to the decellularized valve scaffolds when the cells were coupled with RGD peptides compared with the others. The adhesive effect was correlated with the concentration of the RGD peptide and the attaching time.

Conclusion: With the help of EC, YGRGDSP peptides can be immobilized by covalent bonding. RGD peptides improve cell adhesion to decellularized valve scaffolds.