Development of cell technologies for design of cell contained vascular grafts

A new protocol for production of functional endothelial and mural cells from human cardiac explants has been developed. The endothelial cells are characterized by the presence of mature endothelial markers: CD 31, VE-cadherin and VEGFR2. Functionally they could take up ac-LDL, form tube-like structure in matrigel, contains functional cytoplasmic microvesicles Weibel-Palade bodies, in cytoplasm microvesicles - metabolized form of acetylated low-density lipoprotein, form capillary-like structures in Matrigel and produces extracellular matrix. The smooth muscle cells expressed a specific marker aSMA and produces extracellular matrix. The derived cell populations exhibit functional properties in hindlimb ischemia model. It was shown that the endothelial and the smooth muscle cells retain their specific surface antigens and the ability to produce an extracellular matrix on polycaprolactone and polylactide-co-glycolide surfaces. These cells can be used to develop a vascular tissue-graft.