Development of a technique for obtaining bioengineered tubular structures as potential vascular grafts

Relevance. The problem of searching for the creation of arterial grafts is relevant in modern vascular surgery, since currently available synthetic prostheses, xeno-, allo- and autographs have a number of disadvantages in practical use: thrombiability, stenosis, inflammation, aneurysmal extensions, etc. The solution to this problem may be the creation of a technology for obtaining bioengineered vascular prostheses based on biocompatible hydrogels. We want to demonstrate the fundamental possibility of developing such a technique in this study. Materials and Methods. At the first stage of the study, the authors used 3D modeling and photopolymer 3D printing technologies in order to manufacture a mold for creating a tissue-engineered vascular prosthesis. At the second stage of the work, the authors developed a technique for heterophase oxidative modification of sodium alginate with peroxynitrite to obtain a cytocompatible hydrogel, which was subsequently tested on human fibroblast culture by analyzing their growth pattern and metabolic activity. At the third stage of the study, a bioengineered tubular structure was created using a previously manufactured mold. Results and Discussion. We have obtained a casting mold for creating a tissue-engineered vascular prosthesis, the distinctive features of which are reusable, collapsible, easy sterilization and ease of operation. The cytocompatibility of the hydrogel obtained by us based on modified sodium alginate has been proved. It is based on a tubular structure with a length of 7 cm, a diameter of 7 mm and a wall thickness of 1 mm. It is shown that it has flexibility, elasticity and resistance to pressure above 300 mmHg. Conclusion. Thus, the authors demonstrated the possibility of obtaining bioengineered tubular structures using 3D printing molding technology and showed the possibility of obtaining and using cytocompatible polysaccharide protein hydrogels for such purposes. The researchers hope that with further improvement of the strength characteristics and adhesive properties of the material, this technique for obtaining bioengineered tubular structures can form the basis for the production technology of vascular grafts for educational, scientific and medical purposes.