Harnessing topographical & biochemical cues to enhance elastogenesis by paediatric cells for cardiovascular tissue engineering applications.

The development of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) with a biomimetic extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, including a mature elastic network, remains a key challenge for the production of grafts with long-term functionality. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of aligned nanofiber substrates on ECM protein synthesis by neonatal smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and to examine the combined effects of this topographical cue in conjunction with transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) - a biochemical elastogenic promoter. Glass coverslips were coated in electrospun fibrinogen nanofibers (average diameter < 500 nm) with either a randomly-orientated or aligned topography.