AUTHOR=Sun Benlin , Hou Lei , Sun Binbin , Han Yu , Zou Yunqing , Huang Juexin , Zhang Yanan , Feng Chuanliang , Dou Xiaoqiu , Xu Feng 

TITLE=Use of Electrospun Phenylalanine/Poly-ε-Caprolactone Chiral Hybrid Scaffolds to Promote Endothelial Remodeling

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2021.773635

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2021.773635

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=The fabrication of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) to replace damaged vessels is a promising therapy for cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial remodeling in the lumen of TEVGs is critical for successful revascularization. However, the construction of well-functioning TEVGs remains a fundamental challenge. Herein, chiral hybrid scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning using D/L-phenylalanine based gelators (D(L)PHEG) and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL). The chirality of scaffolds efficiently affected the endothelial remodeling progress of TEVGs. Compared with L/PCL and PCL, D/PCL scaffolds enhanced cell adhesion, proliferation, and upregulated the expression of fibronectin-1 and vinculin. These results suggests that chiral hybrid scaffolds can promote endothelial remodeling of TEVGs by upregulating adhesion-associated protein levels. This study offers an innovative strategy for endothelial remodeling of TEVGs by fabricating chiral hybrid scaffolds, and will provide new insight for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.