Development of autologous tissue small-caliber vascular grafts (biotubes)

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24791389
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General surgery
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (2013-2014); National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute (2012)
• Principal Investigator: YAMANAMI Masashi 京都府立医科大学, 医学部附属病院, 専攻医 (30438204)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 小口径人工血管 / 組織工学 / 再生医療 / 生体内組織形成術 / バイオチューブ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed autologous small-caliber vascular grafts, named "biotubes", by simple, safe and economical "in-body tissue architecture technology". In this study, we evaluated the long-term results of small-caliber biotubes.
Silicone rod molds were placed into subcutaneous pouches of rats, and after 1 month the implants were removed. Biotubes were obtained as tubular connective tissues. They were auto-implanted to the abdominal aorta. At over 1 year, graft status was evaluated by ultrasound echocardiography (UCG), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and histology. High patency rate of 89% (8/9) was obtained. UCG and MRA showed little stenosis, no aneurismal dilation. Histological evaluation revealed hierarchical vessel wall reconstruction including complete endothelialization, circumferentially oriented smooth muscle cells，elastin fibers mimicking native arteries.
The biotubes performed as excellent vascular grafts with high patency and regeneration activity.

Free Research Field

血管外科学