A Novel Application of ZrO\(_{2}\)/SAMP Chemistry: Creation of Thrombus Resistant Vascular Grafts

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are currently the leading cause of death in the United States and Europe, however there is a lack of safe and viable grafts that may be used in vascular bypass surgeries. We are attempting to create a synthetic graft that is resistant to thrombus formation by generating a layer of endothelial cells along the inside surface of the vascular graft. To do this, we are using ZrO2/SAMP patterning chemistry to align fibroblast cells on PET, a synthetic material. These cells generate an aligned extracellular matrix (ECM) that can be decellularized. Our results show that endothelial cells grown on a decellularized ECM on PET form an evenly spread and confluent monolayer that forms junctions necessary for endothelium function and creates a permeability barrier. We have also shown it is possible to seed endothelial cells to confluence in a tube with geometry similar to a synthetic vascular graft.