Strategies for enhancing the mechanical properties of media-equivalents

This research aims to address the current shortcomings of bioartificial arteries (BAAs) as suitable replacement grafts for injured or diseased small diameter arteries. A media-equivalent (ME) is fabricated by SMC-induced compaction of a collagen gel around a frictionless mandrel, which constrains the compaction allowing for development of strong circumferential fibril alignment. MEs fabricated with low rather than high passage adult rat aorta SMC possess almost ten times greater UTS, suggesting that alternative SMC sources may prove to be more effective at compositional remodeling and thereby enhancing mechanical properties. In addition, an alternative collagen source containing intact telopeptides may influence the mechanical properties through more effective fibril aggregation and cross-linking. Furthermore, cyclic mechanical loading of SMCs is shown to induce increased extracellular matrix synthesis, which may further enhance ME mechanical properties.