Development of artificial blood vessels using type IV collagen aggregates

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In this study, as the first step of the development of artificial blood vessel that mimics in vivo environment, Endothelial cells(ECs) were cultured in long-term on the aggregates of type IV collagen that is similar to meshwork structure found in the basement membrane, and their morphology and function were evaluated. The ECs in long-term culture on type IV collagen aggregates formed a "paving-stone" sheet more stably than those on reconstituted type I collagen fibrils. In addition, the expression of von Willebrand factor that is involved in blood coagulation and several proteins that are involved in cell-cell adhesion was found in the ECs cultured on type IV collagen aggregates.