Oddný Björgvinsdóttir, Bergþóra Snorradóttir, Þórarinn Guðjónsson, Stephen Ferguson and Karin Wuertz-Kozak
Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death globally and will continue to rise in the coming years. Medical devices, so called blood contacting devices are often used in the treatment of such diseases. These devices are in direct contact of the blood but can have serious side effects due to the activation of the blood coagulation cascade which leads to thrombus formation. This project aims at developing fully hemocompatible biomimetic membrane for blood contacting devices, such as ventricular assist device that excludes the major complications seen with devices currently on the market.
Aim
To develop a synthetic vascular basement membrane that is biomimetic in structure and mechanical properties, coated with a bio adhesive for cellular attachment and can provide sustained release of an anti-inflammatory compound.
Method
Nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated by electrospinning 20 wt% Polycaprolactone and imaged with SEM. The feasibility of using the gelatin coating crosslinked with glutaraldehyde for drug release was tested by loading it with Triptolide and measuring the release. The concentration of released Tripolide was quantified using UPLC.
Results
A synthetic vascular basement membrane was fabricated with electrospinning and gelatin coating. Coating with 0.012% gelatin, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, promoted cellular attachment, preserved the topography of the spun fibers and was able to serve as a reservoir for the anti-inflammatory compound triptolide, resulting in a sustained release.
Conclusion
Synthetic vascular membrane was fabricated that is biomimic in structure, promotes cellular attachment and provides a sustained release of Triptolide.
