Fibrin as an alternative biopolymer to type I collagen for TissueEquivalent fabrication

A study was conducted to examine the effect of inhibitors of fibrinolysis such as aminocaproic acid on both fibrinolysis and ECM production by SMCs. While the inhibitors affected the rate and extent of fibrinolysis, little collagen production was detected after incubation in medium supplemented with 10% serum for 4 weeks. It may be necessary to optimize the use of inhibitors in combination with stimulatory factors such as TGF-β to effectively balance fibrinolysis and ECM production. In contrast, fibroblasts do not cause fibrinolysis at a level that needs to be inhibited. Collagen production is greater in comparison to SMCs under similar conditions and correlates with stiffening of tissue-equivalents.