Photochemical Modification of the Extracellular Matrix to Alter the Vascular Remodeling Process

• Published in: Journal of functional biomaterials Vol. 14; no. 12; p. 566
• Main Authors: Anderson, Blake, Blair, Dylan, Huff, Kenji, Wisniewski, John, Warner, Kevin S, Kauser, Katalin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Amino acids; bio-scaffold; Blood circulation disorders; Blood vessels; Carotid arteries; Carotid artery; Cell culture; Cell survival; Chemical bonds; Collagen; Collagenase; Covalent bonds; Degradation; Digital imaging; Dimers; Drug dosages; Elastase; Elastin; Extracellular matrix; Fibers; Fistula; Health aspects; Hemodynamics; Image analysis; Image processing; Light; Photochemicals; photosensitized protein crosslinking; Physiology; Proteins; Scaffolding; Segments; Therapeutic applications; tissue remodeling; vascular disease; Vascular diseases; vascular remodeling; Veins & arteries; United States > US; Germany; vascular disease; natural vascular scaffolding; bio-scaffold; tissue remodeling; vascular remodeling; extracellular matrix; photosensitized protein crosslinking
• ISSN: 2079-4983; 2079-4983
• DOI: 10.3390/jfb14120566

Therapeutic interventions for vascular diseases aim at achieving long-term patency by controlling vascular remodeling. The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the vessel wall plays a crucial role in regulating this process. This study introduces a novel photochemical treatment known as Natural Vascular Scaffolding, utilizing a 4-amino substituted 1,8-naphthimide (10-8-10 Dimer) and 450 nm light. This treatment induces structural changes in the ECM by forming covalent bonds between amino acids in ECM fibers without harming vascular cell survival, as evidenced by our results. To further investigate the mechanism of this treatment, porcine carotid artery segments were exposed to 10-8-10 Dimer and light activation. Subsequent experiments subjected these segments to enzymatic degradation through elastase or collagenase treatment and were analyzed using digital image analysis software (MIPAR) after histological processing. The results demonstrated significant preservation of collagen and elastin structures in the photochemically treated vascular wall, compared to controls. This suggests that photochemical treatment can effectively modulate vascular remodeling by enhancing the resistance of the ECM scaffold to degradation. This approach shows promise in scenarios where vascular segments experience significant hemodynamic fluctuations as it reinforces vascular wall integrity and preserves lumen patency. This can be valuable in treating veins prior to fistula creation and grafting or managing arterial aneurysm expansion.