Development of artificial blood vessels using type IV collagen aggregates

作为模拟体内环境的人工血管研制的第一步，本研究将内皮细胞（Endothelial cells，ECs）长期培养在与基底膜网状结构相似的IV型胶原聚集体上，并对其形态和功能进行评价。在IV型胶原聚集体上长期培养的内皮细胞比在重构的I型胶原原纤维上更稳定地形成“铺路石”片。此外，在IV型胶原聚集体上培养的EC中发现了参与血液凝固的von Willebrand因子和参与细胞-细胞粘附的几种蛋白质的表达。

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.